Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

Any difference between the following:

1. How to learn German.
2. How do you learn German?
3. How to learn German?

Thanks.

[CP]

1. "How to learn German" sounds like the title of a book. "How to Weave Baskets." "How to Find Happiness." These are called "how-to books." You would not say, "How to learn German" as a whole sentence, but it might be part of one: "I wish I knew how to learn German."

2. "How do you learn German?" would be a question to someone asking what is the way to learn that language. It is the more informal way to say, "How does one learn German?" or "How might I learn German?"

3. "How to learn German?" would not be a proper question of someone. It might be part of a question: "Can you tell me how to learn German?"
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[BMO]

Thank you so much.