answers the question of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answers the question of how" is a correct and usable phrase that is often used in written English to introduce a response to a question.
For example: "Bryce's explanation answers the question of how the new process works."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Like many foreign actors, he answers the question of how far he'd go for Hollywood before he is even asked.

The New York Times

In this drink, too, he answers the question of how to heighten interest in a nonalcoholic drink by turning to unexpected ingredients.

The New York Times - Food

And that raises and answers the question of how to choose among the many options for digitally antiquing your 21st-century self-expression: we want the ones that make the most convincing mistakes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Made-to-order shoes are profitable, he said, and "it answers the question of how you make the product more compelling to the consumer, and that's to give them the power to design it".

The New York Times

David McCullough's book on Truman answers the question of how someone who's so ill-prepared for one of the most seminal moments in history can end up achieving such extraordinary success when on paper they shouldn't have.

The Washington Post

First, it answers the question of how Deng survived the reign of Chairman Mao Zedong, who, with Hitler and Stalin, made up the trio of great 20th-century tyrants.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

To answer the question of "how" is personal.

The New York Times

Yet they cannot answer the question of how else the "ethnic cleansing" was to be reversed.

The Guardian

But that didn't answer the question of how midazolam had entered Kolman's system.

The New Yorker

Goldin and Katz set out to answer the question of how much an education really matters.

The New York Times - Magazine

It serves as a practical guide to answer the question of how to measure the usability of any product.

Measuring the User Experience Collecting, Analyzing, and Presenting Usability Metrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answers the question of how" to introduce a clear and direct explanation or solution to a problem or inquiry. For instance, "This study answers the question of how climate change affects biodiversity".

Common error

Avoid using "answers the question of how" for overly simple explanations; direct statements are more effective. For example, instead of saying "The manual answers the question of how to turn on the device", simply state "The manual explains how to turn on the device".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answers the question of how" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling that a subsequent statement will provide a solution, method, or explanation to a posed inquiry. Ludwig provides various examples where this phrase is used to introduce solutions or explanations across diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "answers the question of how" is a commonly used phrase that introduces a solution or explanation to a particular inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, use this phrase to clearly signal an upcoming explanation, but avoid overuse in simple statements. Consider alternatives like "addresses the question of how" or "explains how" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addresses the question of how

Replaces "answers" with "addresses", focusing on tackling the question instead of fully resolving it.

responds to the question of how

Substitutes "answers" with "responds", implying a direct reaction or reply to the inquiry.

provides an answer to the question of how

Adds "provides an answer", emphasizing the act of giving a solution or explanation.

explains how

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating that something explains the method or process.

clarifies how

Focuses on making the method or process clear and understandable.

elucidates how

Replaces "answers" with "elucidates", suggesting a detailed and insightful explanation.

sheds light on how

Emphasizes the act of revealing or making something more visible or understandable.

resolves the issue of how

Shifts the focus to solving a problem related to a particular method or process.

unravels the mystery of how

Suggests the explanation solves a complex or enigmatic problem.

determines how

Indicates the process of finding out or establishing the method or process.

FAQs

How can I use "answers the question of how" in a sentence?

Use "answers the question of how" to introduce a solution or explanation. For example, "This research "answers the question of how" to improve energy efficiency".

What can I say instead of "answers the question of how"?

You can use alternatives like "addresses the question of how", "explains how", or "clarifies how" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "answers the question of how" or "answers how"?

"Answers the question of how" is more formal and complete. While "answers how" might be acceptable in informal contexts, the former is generally preferred for clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "answers the question of how" and "addresses the question of how"?

"Answers the question of how" implies a complete solution or explanation, while "addresses the question of how" suggests tackling or dealing with the question, not necessarily providing a definitive answer.