how to

USAGE SUMMARY

‘how to’ is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking for advice or instructions on how to do something, such as "Can you tell me how to bake an apple pie?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How to think critically?

The New York Times

How to travel.

The New Yorker

How to achieve this?

The Economist

So how to win?

The New York Times

How to uninvent him?

The New Yorker

HOW to reform welfare?

The Economist

How to fight back?

The Economist

How to catch up?

The New York Times

How to get home?

The New Yorker

How to escape?

The Economist

But how to respond?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use imperative verbs to clearly state the actions needed. For example, instead of "how you can start", write "start by doing this".

Common error

Avoid starting every sentence with "how to". Vary your sentence structure by sometimes using phrases like "a method for", "ways to", or other alternatives to make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how to" functions as an infinitive phrase introducing a set of instructions or guidelines. Ludwig confirms this usage by providing numerous examples where it prefaces actions or procedures. It serves to explain the manner in which something is accomplished.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

34%

News & Media

66%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how to" is a versatile phrase used to introduce instructions, guidelines, or advice on performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and very common in both formal and informal contexts. While highly prevalent in "News & Media" and "Wiki" sources, remember to vary your sentence structure to avoid overuse. When writing instructions, use clear, imperative verbs and consider alternative phrases like "methods for" or "ways to" for added clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steps to

Breaks down a process into a sequence of actions.

ways to

Emphasizes different routes or approaches to accomplish something.

instructions for

Provides step-by-step directions for a task.

tips for

Offers practical advice or shortcuts.

methods for

Focuses on the specific procedures or techniques involved.

techniques for

Points to specific technical skills or procedures.

approaches to

Highlights strategies and planned courses of action.

guidelines for

Offers a set of recommendations or best practices.

procedures for

Highlights a formal or established way of doing something.

advice on

Provides suggestions or recommendations.

FAQs

How to use "how to" in a sentence?

The phrase "how to" is used to introduce instructions or guidance on performing a specific action. For example, "This guide explains "how to bake a cake"".

What can I say instead of "how to"?

Alternatives include "methods for", "ways to", or "guidelines for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "how to" or "how do I"?

"How to" is generally used in titles and headings to indicate instructions, while "how do I" is used in questions. For example, "How to install the software" versus "How do I install the software?"

When should I use "how to" versus "the way to"?

"How to" is typically used for providing general instructions or a guide, while "the way to" emphasizes a particular approach or method. For instance, "How to learn programming" offers general advice, while "The best "way to learn programming" is by practicing regularly" highlights a specific method.