how strongly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how strongly" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the intensity of a feeling or action. For example, "She loves her family deeply, but how strongly does she miss them now that she's living abroad?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

— how strongly should Mexico retaliate?

The New York Times

"I can't tell you how strongly I feel about this.

The Guardian

But you see the color, how strongly yellow it is.

The New York Times

"That is how strongly I feel about it!

The New Yorker

I can't even explain how strongly I feel about it.

The Guardian

I know how strongly the Democratic Congressional leaders oppose them.

The New York Times

"One is how strongly Xi Jinping has consolidated his position.

The Guardian

"I remember how strongly Hillary felt about this.

The New Yorker

I cannot say how strongly this affected me.

The New Yorker

"We heard about how strongly they felt," he said.

The New York Times

It depends on how strongly you believe in the competition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how strongly", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended tone. It's best suited for situations where you want to highlight a significant degree of intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "how strongly" in situations where a more neutral expression of degree would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how strongly" functions as an intensifier within a relative clause or question. It modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, emphasizing the degree or intensity of the action or quality being described. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how strongly" is a versatile phrase used to inquire about or express the intensity of a feeling, belief, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it a valuable addition to your vocabulary. While most common in news and media, its appropriateness varies across different contexts: It's well-suited for emphasizing significant intensity, as highlighted in the Ludwig examples. However, overuse in neutral situations might make writing sound overly dramatic, so choose it wisely. Alternatives include "to what extent", "how deeply", or "how intensely" offering nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Therefore, understanding "how strongly" functions in context is vital for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how intensely

Replaces "strongly" with a synonym, emphasizing the force or degree of the action or feeling.

how powerfully

Indicates the strength or effectiveness of something, similar in meaning but emphasizing impact.

how deeply

Implies a profound level of feeling or involvement, similar to "how strongly" in emotional contexts.

how vehemently

Highlights the passionate or forceful expression of an opinion or feeling.

how passionately

Emphasizes the emotional intensity and enthusiasm behind an action or feeling.

how emphatically

Highlights the clear and forceful expression of something.

to what extent

Focuses on the degree or scope of something, rather than the intensity of a feeling or action.

to what degree

Highlights the measurement or level of something, similar to "how strongly" but in a more quantitative sense.

with what force

Emphasizes the power or impact behind an action, differing slightly from the more general "how strongly".

with what conviction

Focuses on the firm belief or certainty behind a statement or action.

FAQs

How can I use "how strongly" in a sentence?

You can use "how strongly" to emphasize the degree or intensity of a feeling, belief, or action. For example, "I can't express "how strongly" I feel about this issue."

What are some alternatives to "how strongly"?

Alternatives include "to what extent", "how deeply", or "how intensely", depending on the context you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "how strongly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "how strongly" can sometimes sound less formal. Consider alternatives like "to what degree" or "to what extent" for a more professional tone, particularly in academic or business contexts.

How does "how strongly" differ from "how much"?

"How much" usually refers to quantity or amount, while "how strongly" refers to the intensity or degree of a feeling, belief, or action. For example, you might ask "how much" something costs, but ""how strongly"" someone believes in something.