What vs. which vs. where vs. how

Question

Hello,Could you please help me with my questions below?  I would really appreciate it.A.  Could you tell me what is the fastest way to get to the city centre?B.  Could you tell me which is the fastest way to get to the city centre?C.  Could you tell me where is the fastest way to get to the city centre?D.  Could you tell me how is the fastest way to get to the city centre?1.  Which of the sentences above is natural to say in its context?2.  Do you think 'what' above is correct because I'm asking the listener to identify the fastest way?3.  Or do you think it should be 'which' because there are many ways to get there and I'm asking the listener to choose from the different routes, even though I don't know any of the alternatives yet because they haven't been identified to me?4.  Can I also say 'where' since we are talking about the location or the point where the fastest way to get there starts?5.  Can I also say 'how' since we are talking about the way itself on how to get there the fastest?6.  If my interpretations are incorrect, how are they different then?7.  Is rephrasing sentence D to the following correct: "Could you tell me how to get to the city centre the fastest way?"?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1. Which of the sentences above is natural to say in its context?-- A

2. Do you think 'what' above is correct because I'm asking the listener to identify the fastest way?-- No

3. Or do you think it should be 'which' because there are many ways to get there and I'm asking the listener to choose from the different routes, even though I don't know any of the alternatives yet because they haven't been identified to me?-- No. It is this choice because there are only a few ways to get there.

4. Can I also say 'where' since we are talking about the location or the point where the fastest way to get there starts?-- No. 'Way' is a noun.

5. Can I also say 'how' since we are talking about the way itself on how to get there the fastest?-- Only if the conversation revolves around modes of transportation. My presumption, however, is that it is about routes.

6. If my interpretations are incorrect, how are they different then?- See above.

7. Is rephrasing sentence D to the following correct: "Could you tell me how to get to the city centre the fastest way?" -- That sounds more reasonable.

Incorrigibly Curious · Answer

Sorry for my delayed response, but thank you so much for your answers.

Mister Micawber1. Which of the sentences above is natural to say in its context?-- A
2. Do you think 'what' above is correct because I'm asking the listener to identify the fastest way?-- No

If A is the correct answer in its own context and asking to identify by using 'what' is not the reason, then what is the reason that 'what' is the correct answer?

Mister Micawber3. Or do you think it should be 'which' because there are many ways to get there and I'm asking the listener to choose from the different routes, even though I don't know any of the alternatives yet because they haven't been identified to me?-- No. It is this choice because there are only a few ways to get there.

So is 'which' also correct provided I, as the person asking, am aware of the only few ways to get there? If not, how is it different from 'what' in A, which is your first choice?

Mister Micawber4. Can I also say 'where' since we are talking about the location or the point where the fastest way to get there starts?-- No. 'Way' is a noun.

I'm sorry, I don't completely understand. Isn't 'location' or 'point' also a noun, eg. the point where you should start walking...?

Mister Micawber7. Is rephrasing sentence D to the following correct: "Could you tell me how to get to the city centre the fastest way?" -- That sounds more reasonable.

Is this more natural than sentence A (what) in asking the question? Is there any difference in meaning between A and this sentence?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Sorry, I made an egregious typing mistake. I meant 'B' as the correct answer, which is consistent with my response to your #3. If that does not clarify your concerns, could you please reformulate any questions? Thank you.

Incorrigibly Curious · Answer

Mister MicawberSorry, I made an egregious typing mistake.

No worries. Thank you for that clarification.

Mister Micawber4. Can I also say 'where' since we are talking about the location or the point where the fastest way to get there starts?-- No. 'Way' is a noun.

I'm sorry, I don't completely understand. Isn't 'location' or 'point' also a noun, eg. the point where you should start walking...?

Mister Micawber7. Is rephrasing sentence D to the following correct: "Could you tell me how to get to the city centre the fastest way?" -- That sounds more reasonable.

Is this more natural than sentence B (which) in asking the question? Is there any difference in meaning between B and this sentence?

Mister Micawber · Answer

4. I'm sorry, I don't completely understand. Isn't 'location' or 'point' also a noun, eg. the point where you should start walking...?-- They are, but they have different meanings. A way is not a location or a point; it is a route of progress-- the sentence does not consider a starting point, though that may be what you intended it to do.

7. Is this more natural than sentence B (which) in asking the question? Is there any difference in meaning between B and this sentence?-- No difference in meaning. Yes, it seems a little more natural to me. 'How to get to...' is a very common phrase.

Incorrigibly Curious · Answer

Ah, I see.  Thank you very much for your explanations.  I now understand. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

What vs. which vs. where vs. how

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