The word "how" can function as multiple parts of speech depending on its use in a sentence:
- Primarily, "how" is an adverb. It is used to ask about the manner, degree, or quality of something. For example, "How quickly do you need the report?" or "How high do I need to jump?" In this role, it describes or modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- "How" can also act as a noun when referring to the means or method by which something is done, as in "I need to know how to drive a stick shift."
- Additionally, "how" can serve as a conjunction meaning "in the way that" or "in what manner," such as in "He showed me how to do the math problem."
- In some contexts, "how" is used as an adjective meaning "in what state," for example, "How are you?" or "How was your vacation?"
Thus, "how" is most commonly an adverb but can also be a noun, conjunction, or adjective depending on the context.
