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How and What ... like
When to use : 'How' or 'What ...like ? '
1) ‘How’ is used to ask somebody's news, or ask information about somebody's health or the condition of something.
ex : How’s Mary, your sister ? She’s much better now. She has totally recovered.
2) On the contrary : ‘What ….. like ?’ asks a question about somebody's physical aspect or about the description of something.
ex : What’s your sister Mary like ? She’s tall and slim, she has big blue eyes !
- 'To be ...like' …refers to somebody's physical appearance or character. We're asked an opinion about somebody's appearance.
ex : What's Tom like ? /What does Tom look like ? He’s big and tall, with muscles : a real athlete !
Beware of the different meanings of :
- What’s your sister like ? Wonderful ! She’ small and brown-haired.
versus :
- What does your sister like ? She likes pizzas and French fries, but she hates vegetables … (here, 'like' is a verb)
B E W A R E ! In a direct interrogative clause (a normal question ) the words order is : Interrogative word + verb + Subject + ? ex : How is he ?
ON THE CONTRARY : in an indirect interrogative clause, introduced by : 'She asks him...' : the words order becomes : Introduction + interrogative word + subject + verb.
ex : She tells me what he is like.
Don't ever give up !

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