Question (learn to do/learn how to do)

Hi Taka,
Interesting question. I wouldn’t say there is an exact difference. I think we often use them interchangeably.

Maybe ‘learn how to do’ stresses learning the method more, and ‘learn to do’ focuses more on the result, but I really wouldn’t want to argue the case strongly for that at all.

Others may have a very different opinion?

Clive

So you think "You need to learn to appreciate it" and "You need to learn how to appreciate it" , for example, are almost the same?

Hi,
Well, I'd say 'yes', subject to my earlier comment.
Clive

Hmm...Then what about this?

I took an art class. I was

(a ) learning how to paint.
(b ) learning to paint.


I personally think (b ) is weird...

Hi,
I don't. Actually, I prefer (b), it seems more elegant, better style, more direct, less redundant.
In my opinion, (b) also seems a bit more natural, because the main focus is 'the pictures I will paint' rather than 'how I will mix the colours and apply my brush-strokes.'

Why does it seem weird to you?

Clive

Oops, my b appeared as a beer mug

Why does it seem weird to you?

Because you were in an art class, and I think a class is where you learn a skill, a "how-to", so to speak.

Yes, but the 'how-to's' are a means to an end. The end goal is 'to paint'.

OK, what about this one?

He learned to like cats.

Is it possible to replace "learned to like" with "learned how to like"?

Yes, although I prefer 'to like' because it's the end result.

But do you think you can learn to like cats without learning how to like cats?