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Writer's pictureJoanne

How or what?

Updated: Nov 1, 2023

How does it look like?

What does it look like?


'What does it look like' is the correct version of the question because we are asking for a description of something and so we use what.


It can be confusing though because a similar question can be asked using how:

How does this dress look on me?


In this case how is correct because we are asking for the condition of something.

Does it look good or not?


Q: What does the dress look like? (describe the dress)

A: It's a black, floor length dress with a belt at the waist.


Q: How does the dress look on me? (condition of the dress, does it look good?)

A: The dress looks really good on you. You always look good in black.



How asks for the condition of or manner in which something has happened or something will happen.

  • How did you break the window?

  • How did you make this soup?

  • How are you going to get to Spain?


What asks for a description of something or about something.

  • What did you use to break the window?

  • What did you put in this soup?

  • What form of transport are you going to use to get to Spain?





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