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ESL forum >
Ask for help > What does he look like vs How does he look like
What does he look like vs How does he look like
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zvonka.rink
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What does he look like vs How does he look like
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Dear colleagues,
Can you please explain if there is an essential difference between the questions
What does he look like?
How does he look like?
when we are asking about physical appearance. I remember reading that both are OK but the second is more informal. is this true?
Would both questions be OK for the following sentence:
She �s not very tall but she �s quite thin.
I thank you for your answers and wish you a nice evening.
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21 Mar 2012
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chrissmolder
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Hello! Usually we say �How does he look? � (without like).
Off the top of my head I would say that both are more or less the same, but I think I would use the first expression when asking about someone I have never seen before and the second for someone that I already know--in other words, to ask about a changed or temporary state.
Examples:
A: My roommate is in your class. B: He is? What does he look like? (I have never met him.)
or
A: Richard is out of the hospital...I saw him in front of his house yesterday. B: You did? How did he look? A: Quite well, actually.
A: You must be going to a costume party... B: Yes I am...how do I look? A: Scary!
I hope that helps!
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21 Mar 2012
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chrissmolder
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Sorry, I didn �t directly answer your question! 
I think that �What does she look like? � is a better question for the response �She �s not very tall.... � for the reasons I mentioned above, but maybe others will disagree!
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21 Mar 2012
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cunliffe
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chrissmolder has nailed that.
�What does he look like? � refers to physical appearance. �How does he look? � is asking about his condition or his frame of mind and that assumes you already know him.. |
21 Mar 2012
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zvonka.rink
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I thought so but sometimes I find out that native speakers use expressions I would never consider correct.
Thank you for your explanations.
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21 Mar 2012
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MoodyMoody
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And for once, Australian, British, and American English all agree! |
22 Mar 2012
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PhilipR
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Short answer:
What does he look like? CORRECT
How does he look like? INCORRECT |
22 Mar 2012
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joy2bill
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I find this a constant problem with my students (and they are advanced). I �ve also seen this so many times with ESL contributors/teachers. Can I suggest that the word �what � would be used more frequently than the word �how �. "How" talks about the manner ( the way, the method) something is done not its appearance... |
22 Mar 2012
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