how: subordinating conjunction (2) ?

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how: subordinating conjunction (2) ?

Post by Hela »

Hello, Alan

Thank you for answering in my precedent post, I have one more question though.

I found in a well-know dictionary that "how" in the following sentences is a subordinating conjunction. Is it right or wrong ?

This is how I make a vegetable soup.
Tell me how to get there.
Do you remember how you and I planned to live in Venice?


And what about this sentence : This is how things happen.

Do you consider them all "conjunctive adverbs" ?

Thanks again for your patience.
Best wishes
Hela
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Re: how: subordinating conjunction (2) ?

Post by Alan »

I'm afraid I must disagree with your dictionary on every count: in none of these examples would 'how' normally be reckoned a conjunction.

Which dictionary does this information come from?
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Re: how: subordinating conjunction (2) ?

Post by Hela »

Good morning, Alan

These examples are taken from The Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary.
All the best
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Re: how: subordinating conjunction (2) ?

Post by Alan »

Normally a book that I would recommend to learners. I can only say that I am shocked. All of the instances of 'how' cited here are indeed adverbs.

Although 'how' as a subordinating conjunction tends to be restricted to informal usage, in common with the vast majority of subordinators, it introduces adverbial clauses, as in

Do it how you did it last year.

(= more formal ...as/the way you did it ...)

You'll note that all of the subordinate clauses in the dictionary examples, in contrast, are nominal.
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