Haw vs. How — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Haw is a hesitation sound or direction to turn left for animals, whereas how refers to the manner or means of doing something.
Difference Between Haw and How
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Key Differences
Haw represents a sound made to express indecision or hesitation, often used in speech to signify a pause or uncertainty. On the other hand, how is used to ask about the manner, condition, or method by which something is done, focusing on the process or means.
In the context of commanding draft animals, haw is a traditional command for directing them to turn left, showcasing its role in communication with animals. Conversely, how is used in questions or discussions to explore or explain the procedure, reasons, or state of something, emphasizing understanding or clarification.
The usage of haw, besides expressing hesitation, also illustrates its role in specific forms of communication, such as with working animals, where it serves a practical, directional function. How, however, is utilized across a wide range of inquiries, from casual conversations to scientific research, underscoring its versatility in seeking information.
While haw can manifest as a verbal tic in speech, indicating a speaker's pause to think or uncertainty, how is fundamental to forming inquiries that seek detailed explanations, highlighting the contrast in their functions within communication.
The distinction also extends to their written context, where haw might appear in dialogue or narratives to depict hesitation or the interaction with animals, while how is prevalent in interrogative sentences, instructional content, and exploratory discussions, reflecting its integral role in questioning and explanation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A sound or command used to indicate hesitation or direct animals to turn left.
A word used to ask about the manner or means by which something is done.
Usage
Expressed in speech as a hesitation or in animal commands.
Used in questions, instructions, and explanations.
Context
Speech, animal training.
General inquiry, education, instructions, research.
Function
Indicates pause, uncertainty, or direction (left turn for animals).
Seeks or provides information on processes, methods, or conditions.
Communication Role
Serves to pause or direct in specific scenarios.
Fundamental in forming inquiries and explaining procedures or conditions.
Compare with Definitions
Haw
Directs draft animals to turn left.
She shouted haw to guide the horses through the field.
How
Inquires about the manner, condition, or method of something.
He asked how to solve the equation.
Haw
Often found in dialogue or descriptions involving animals or rustic settings.
The novel's rural setting included the use of haw for horse commands.
How
Used across various contexts for seeking information.
Scientists research how diseases spread.
Haw
Reflects indecision or a thinking pause.
Well, haw, I'm not sure about that, he said uncertainly.
How
Fundamental in educational, instructional, and informative content.
The guidebook details how to navigate the city.
Haw
A sound indicating hesitation or a command for turning left, used with animals.
The farmer used haw to steer the oxen left.
How
Forms the basis of inquiries into processes or reasons.
How do you make this recipe?
Haw
Can signify a speaker's or writer's hesitation.
The character's frequent haws illustrated his indecisiveness.
How
Provides details on methods or procedures.
The manual explains how to assemble the furniture.
Haw
An utterance used by a speaker who is fumbling for words.
How
In what manner or way; by what means
How does this machine work?.
Haw
The fruit of a hawthorn.
How
In what state or condition
How is she today?.
Haw
A hawthorn or similar tree or shrub.
How
To what extent, amount, or degree
How bad was it?.
Haw
A nictitating membrane, especially of a domesticated animal.
How
For what reason or purpose; why
How is it that he left early?.
Haw
An inflamed condition of this membrane.
How
With what meaning
How should I take that remark?.
Haw
To fumble in speaking.
How
By what name
How is she called?.
Haw
To turn to the left.
How
By what measure; in what units
How do you sell this corn?.
Haw
Used to command an animal pulling a load to turn to the left.
How
What. Usually used in requesting that something be said again
How's that again?.
Haw
An imitation of laughter, often used to express scorn or disbelief. Often doubled or tripled (haw haw or haw haw haw).
You think that song was good? Haw!
How
Used as an intensive
How we laughed!.
Haw
An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like "haw"; the sound so made.
How
The manner or way in which
Forgot how it was done.
Haw
An instruction for a horse or other animal to turn towards the driver, typically left.
How
That
I told them how I had once been bitten by a snake.
Haw
To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
How
In whatever way or manner; however
Cook it how you please.
Haw
(of an animal) To turn towards the driver, typically to the left.
This horse won't haw when I tell him to.
How
A manner or method of doing something
"The how of research is generated by the why of the world" (Frederick Turner).
Haw
To cause (an animal) to turn left.
You may have to go to the front of the pack and physically haw the lead dog.
How
To what degree or extent.
How often do you practice?
The gauge indicated how hot the oven was.
Haw
Fruit of the hawthorn.
How
In what manner:
Haw
(historical) A hedge.
How
By what means.
How do you solve this puzzle?
How else can we get this finished?
She showed him how to do it.
Haw
(obsolete) Something that has little value or importance; a whit or jot.
How
With overtones of for what reason.}}
How should I know whether he likes raisins or not? Ask him!
Haw
The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane.
How
In what form, shape, measure, quantity, etc.
Haw
(uncountable) A disease of the nictitating membrane.
How
With what meaning or effect.
How the stock market interprets events has real consequences.
Haw
A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard.
And eke there was a polecat in his haw.
How
By what title or what name.
Haw
The fruit of the hawthorn.
How
At what price, for what amount (of money).
Haw
The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate.
How
In what state or condition.
How are you?
How was your vacation?
Haw
An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like haw! also, the sound so made.
How
Used as a modifier to indicate surprise, delight, or other strong feelings in an exclamation.
How very interesting!
How wonderful it was to receive your invitation.
Haw
To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
Cut it short; don't prose - don't hum and haw.
How
The manner or way in which.
I remember how I solved this puzzle.
Haw
To turn to the near side, or toward the driver; - said of cattle or a team: a word used by teamsters in guiding their teams, and most frequently in the imperative. See Gee.
How
In any way in which; in whatever way; however.
People should be free to live how they want.
Haw
To cause to turn, as a team, to the near side, or toward the driver; as, to haw a team of oxen.to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control.
How
That, the fact that.
She told me how her father was a doctor.
Haw
A spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
How
The means by which something is accomplished.
I am not interested in the why, but in the how.
Haw
The nictitating membrane of a horse
How
(dialectal) An artificial barrow or tumulus.
Haw
Utter `haw';
He hemmed and hawed
How
(dialectal) A small hill in northern England. (Usage preserved mainly in place names.)
How
A greeting, used in representations of Native American speech.
How
In what manner or way; by what means or process.
How can a man be born when he is old?
How
To what degree or extent, number or amount; in what proportion; by what measure or quality.
O, how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
By how much they would diminish the present extent of the sea, so much they would impair the fertility, and fountains, and rivers of the earth.
How
For what reason; from what cause.
How now, my love! why is your cheek so pale?
How
In what state, condition, or plight.
How, and with what reproach, shall I return?
How
By what name, designation, or title.
How art thou called?
How
At what price; how dear.
How a score of ewes now?
Let me beg you - don't say "How?" for "What?"
How
To what extent or amount or degree;
How tall is she?
How
In what way or manner or by what means (`however' is sometimes used as an intensive form of `how');
How did you catch the snake?
He told us how he did it
However did you get here so soon?
Common Curiosities
What is the usage of how in a sentence?
How is used to ask about the manner, method, or condition by which something is done or occurs.
Is haw used in modern language?
While less common in everyday speech, haw is still used in specific contexts like animal herding or depicted in literature.
How do questions beginning with how differ from why questions?
"How" focuses on the process or method, while "why" seeks reasons or causes.
Can haw be used outside of commanding animals?
Yes, as a hesitation sound in speech, indicating the speaker's uncertainty or pause for thought.
Can haw indicate anything other than left direction or hesitation?
Primarily, it's used for these two purposes, but its symbolic use can vary in literature.
What does haw mean?
Haw can refer to a sound indicating hesitation or a command for animals, particularly draft animals, to turn left.
Why is how important in communication?
It's crucial for forming questions that seek detailed explanations, enabling understanding and learning.
How does the context change the meaning of how?
The context can shift from seeking procedural knowledge to understanding conditions or reasons.
What are examples of how being used in instructional content?
Manuals, how-to guides, and educational materials frequently use "how" to explain procedures or methods.
What role does how play in scientific research?
It's fundamental in framing research questions that explore processes, mechanisms, or methods.
Are there cultural variations in the use of haw?
Yes, the use of haw and similar commands can vary significantly across different cultures and languages.
Can how be used rhetorically?
Yes, it can be used rhetorically to make a statement rather than seek an actual answer.
How is how used in technology and software?
In tutorials, FAQs, and user guides, "how" questions are central to explaining the use and functionality of technology or software.
How does one learn to use haw effectively with animals?
It requires consistent training and communication with the animals, often within a specific cultural or working context.
Is there a right-hand equivalent to haw in animal commands?
Yes, "gee" is commonly used to direct animals to turn right.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
