Cool MateHow was it vs What was it like
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How was it
Top 2,000 (common)
What was it like
Top 2,000 (common)
| How was it | What was it like | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ wəz ɪt//🇺🇸 //haʊ wəz ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt wəz ɪt laɪk//🇺🇸 //wɑt wəz ɪt laɪk// |
| Meaning | A way to ask about someone's experience. | how was the experience |
| Example | After the concert, I asked my friend, 'How was it?' | What was it like to climb Mount Everest? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | How was the event?, How was your day?, How was the meeting? | what was it like to, what was it like in, what was it like for |
| Common mistakes | Misusing in formal contexts like business meetings., Not specifying the experience, which may cause confusion. | Forgetting to use 'it' in the phrase., Using 'was' when talking about present experiences., Confusing it with 'how was it?' |
| Usage notes | Used in conversation to inquire about experiences, often informal. It may not be appropriate in very formal situations. | Use inquiring about experiences or impressions. Best for conversations and storytelling. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: How was it vs What was it like
What's the difference between How was it and What was it like?
How was it: A way to ask about someone's experience. What was it like: how was the experience
Can you show an example of each?
How was it: After the concert, I asked my friend, 'How was it?' What was it like: What was it like to climb Mount Everest?
Can I use How was it and What was it like interchangeably?
Not always. How was it and What was it like are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.