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Tenacious Learner Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Physical description of a house
Hello teachers,
Michael Swan in his Practical English Usage book says, 'We generally use how to ask about things that change-for example people's moods and health. We usually preferwhat ... like? to ask about things that do not change-for example people's character and appearance.' But it doesn't say anything about the correct question for the physical appearance of objects like for example, a house.
Which one is correct?
What does the house look like? It's old and big.
What is the house like? It's old an big.
I've also read that to ask about someone's physical appearance we use the following grammar structure:
What + does + subject + look + like? Subject + be + adjective(s).
For example:
What does she look like? She is tall and good looking.
Correct?
Thanks in advance.
Michael Swan in his Practical English Usage book says, 'We generally use how to ask about things that change-for example people's moods and health. We usually preferwhat ... like? to ask about things that do not change-for example people's character and appearance.' But it doesn't say anything about the correct question for the physical appearance of objects like for example, a house.
Which one is correct?
What does the house look like? It's old and big.
What is the house like? It's old an big.
I've also read that to ask about someone's physical appearance we use the following grammar structure:
What + does + subject + look + like? Subject + be + adjective(s).
For example:
What does she look like? She is tall and good looking.
Correct?
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
" is asking specifically about the appearance of the house - its colour, shape, size etc. " is asking about the house in general, including its looks. So, the conversation could go: Q.
- " is asking specifically about the appearance of the house - its colour, shape, size etc.
- " is asking about the house in general, including its looks.
- So, the conversation could go: Q.
- " A.
- " Q.
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6 Answers
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Hi,
Asking "what does the house look like?" is asking specifically about the appearance of the house - its colour, shape, size etc.
Asking "what is the house like?" is asking about the house in general, including its looks.
So, the conversation could go:
Q. "What does the house look like?"
A. "It's large, with six windows and a wooden fence."
Q. "What i
Asking "what does the house look like?" is asking specifically about the appearance of the house - its colour, shape, size etc.
Asking "what is the house like?" is asking about the house in general, including its looks.
So, the conversation could go:
Q. "What does the house look like?"
A. "It's large, with six windows and a wooden fence."
Q. "What i
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It's not unusual to use 'how'.
eg
A: I went to visit Tom yesterday. His wife is away for a week.
B: How did/does the house look?
A: Untidy.
Clive
eg
A: I went to visit Tom yesterday. His wife is away for a week.
B: How did/does the house look?
A: Untidy.
Clive
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Alice1Q. "What is the house like?" A. "It's really big, and creepy - I keep hearing strange noises at night and there's a funny smell in the cellar."I certainly won't live in that house!
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Clivet's not unusual to use 'how'.Hi Clive,
Thanks for your help too.
TL
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Yes, you're exactly right, including saying "what is she like?"
Clive makes a good point as well, about saying "how does it look?", which is also specifically about the appearance of something. We could add another option by using the verb "to be", for example:
Person 1: I went to a concert last night.
Person 2: Oh, how was it?
Therefore, "how was it?" means the same
Clive makes a good point as well, about saying "how does it look?", which is also specifically about the appearance of something. We could add another option by using the verb "to be", for example:
Person 1: I went to a concert last night.
Person 2: Oh, how was it?
Therefore, "how was it?" means the same
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Alice1Therefore, "how was it?" means the same thing as "what was it like?"Hi Alice,
I appreciate your help.
TL
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