He doesn't know how to speak English vs He doesn't know how to speak in English

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'He doesn't know how to speak English' is more commonly used and refers to the ability to communicate in the English language. On the other hand, 'He doesn't know how to speak in English' could refer to the manner or style of speaking in English.

Last updated: March 11, 2024 • 1897 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to someone's ability to communicate in the English language.

"He doesn't know how to speak English"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone lacks the ability to communicate in English.

Examples:

He doesn't know how to speak English fluently.
She doesn't know how to speak English very well.
They don't know how to speak English at all.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 19, 2014 ... In one episode, he encounters a stripper and nervously avoids getting a lap dance by acting like he doesn't know how to speak English.
“I want to meet that man,” she said to Oakie. “Do you know he doesn't know how to speak English?” And backstage the first thing she said to Lugosi was not how ...
“Do you know he doesn't know how to speak English.” She couldn't get over the fact that he was on stage for two hours performing in a language he couldn't ...
Jun 18, 2014 ... According to the source he doesn't know how to speak English at all which is another valid resoan why Bowe needs time before he can meet ...

Alternatives:

He doesn't know English.
He can't speak English.
He is not proficient in English.
He lacks English language skills.
He struggles with English.

This phrase is correct but less commonly used. It could refer to the manner or style of speaking in English.

"He doesn't know how to speak in English"

This phrase could be used to refer to someone's style or manner of speaking in English.

Examples:

He doesn't know how to speak in English without an accent.
She doesn't know how to speak in English formally.
They don't know how to speak in English casually.

Show examples from the web [+]

He doesn't know how to speak in English, but he helped me with all his heart. 0 replies 0 retweets 0 favorites. Reply. Retweet Retweeted. Favorite Favorited.
It took forever to get food we waited for half an hour to receive appetizer. Waiter doesn't talk at all to us maybe he doesn't know how to speak in english. Was this ...

Alternatives:

He doesn't know how to speak English in a formal manner.
He doesn't know how to speak English with proper pronunciation.
He doesn't know how to speak English fluently.
He doesn't know how to speak English naturally.
He doesn't know how to speak English without mistakes.

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He doesn't know how to speak English vs He doesn't know how to speak in English