how + phrase + do/does/did + subject + base verb + ?Use this pattern with main verbs. After do, does, or did, the main verb stays in base form.
How Questions
A2Use how much, how many, how long, how often, and how far to ask about amount, number, duration, frequency, and distance.
What you'll learn
- Ask about amount with how much.
- Ask about number with how many.
- Ask about duration with how long.
- Ask about frequency with how often.
- Ask about distance with how far.
- Build how questions with question word order.
Structure
how far + be + subject + ?With be, put be before the subject: How far is it? How far are the stores from here?
Build a sentence
How phrase
Prompt
How manybooksdoesLisahave
How many books does Lisa have?
Use how many with countable plural nouns.
When to use
Amount
Ask about uncountable things like money, water, sugar, or time. How much coffee do you drink?
Number
Ask about separate items you can count. How many emails did Maria send today?
Duration
Ask how much time something takes or has lasted. How long is the meeting?
Frequency
Ask how regularly something happens. How often does Tom call his parents?
Distance
Ask about space between places. How far is Lisa's apartment from the station?
Markers
how muchhow manyhow longhow oftenhow far
Common mistakes
Wrong
How many money do you need?
Correct
How much money do you need?
Money is uncountable here, so use how much, not how many.
Wrong
How much apples are on the table?
Correct
How many apples are on the table?
Apples are separate countable items, so use how many.
Wrong
How often does the class last?
Correct
How long does the class last?
This question asks about duration, so use how long.
Wrong
How often you travel for work?
Correct
How often do you travel for work?
Questions with main verbs need an auxiliary before the subject.
Wrong
How long did Anna waited?
Correct
How long did Anna wait?
After did, use the base verb, not a past form.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can use how many with any noun if I want a number. ❞
Use how many only with countable plural nouns. With uncountable nouns, use how much.
❝ How long can ask about any kind of measurement. ❞
How long asks about time length. For distance, use how far; for frequency, use how often.
Skills in this rule (7)
CHOOSE_HOW_MUCH_FOR_UNCOUNTABLEw5Use how much with uncountable nouns
Use how much to ask about the amount of something not counted as separate items, like water, time, or money.
CHOOSE_HOW_MANY_FOR_COUNTABLEw5Use how many with countable plural nouns
Use how many to ask about the number of separate things. The noun after it is plural.
USE_HOW_LONG_FOR_DURATIONw4Use how long to ask about duration
Use how long when you ask about the length of time something lasts, continues, or has continued.
USE_HOW_OFTEN_FOR_FREQUENCYw4Use how often to ask about frequency
Use how often when you ask if something happens every day, once a week, or at another rate.
USE_HOW_FAR_FOR_DISTANCEw4Use how far to ask about distance
Use how far when you ask about the distance between places or from one point to another.
BUILD_HOW_QUESTION_ORDERw5Build how questions in the right word order
Start with how + phrase, then use the auxiliary or be before the subject. Keep the main verb in base form after do or does.
RECOGNIZE_COMMON_HOW_PHRASESw3Recognize common how phrases
Notice the common question starters how much, how many, how long, how often, and how far, and connect each one to its meaning.