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What vs How in questions
What's the difference beteween these two questions:
What do you mean? vs How do you mean? you reply the same with both , for instance , I mean that ... Thanks
<<What's the difference beteween these two questions:
What do you mean? vs How do you mean? >> The difference is the focus of the question you're asking. "What do you mean" focuses on, natually, the 'what'. "How do you mean", although able to substitute in most circumstances as 'what do you mean' focuses on 'how' it's being conveyed, as if saying "How do you mean [what you are saying]?". Do you see the slight difference?
I think so . So in this context if someone say , he's a bit greedy.
Then can i ask : how do you mean,greedy?
<<I think so . So in this context if someone say , he's a bit greedy.
Then can i ask : how do you mean,greedy? >> Yes. That would give them a chance to explain *what* they mean by "greedy". It might mean a little greedy, or a lot of greedy : ) Replying: "What do you mean, greedy?" would mean that you were opposed to their opinion, but that you were probing to hear an explanation as to why they felt that way.
Well, the way I would take it:
He's a bit greedy. >How do you mean? = How is he greedy? But 'What do you mean?' depends entirely on the inflection and tone. You could mean the same thing as 'How do you mean?' or you could mean 'I don't understand how you think that. Explain your opinion.' |