"How" questions.

Question

Dear friends;

I wish to ask for your help about the use and meaning of ‘how’ in certain interrogative questions.

From a “reading” exercise, two sentences:

a) How is life different for children today?

b) How are children a problem for parents?

I don’t know really what means ‘how’ there. Do those sentences keep the same sense if we change ‘how’ for ‘why’? This is:

a) Why is life different for children today?

b) Why are children a problem for parents?

If they are different questions, would you be so kind as to explain that difference?

Thanks in advance!

Nona the brit · Accepted Answer

The how in these sentences means 'in which ways is/are' so needs a different answer to why (explain the reasons for the following situation).

CalifJim · Answer

"how" means "in what way", "in what ways". In "How is life different for children today?", you are asked to think of what it was like to live many years ago and what it is like to live today, and you are asked to say what is different about those two different ways of living.

"why" means "proceeding from what cause". In "Why is life different for children today?", you are asked to think about things which have caused circumstances to change throughout the years, leading to the way life is for children today.

It is true, however, that there is often a similarity in the answers to "how" and "why" questions. The similarity seems more and more striking the more abstract the question.

"How does a light bulb work?" (the more common phrasing)
"Why does a light bulb work?" (less common, but possible)

In the first question we ask about the manner of operation; in the second, about the cause.
In both answers some explanation of electricity will most likely be required.

CJ

"How" questions.

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