"how do you know him?" vs "where did you meet?"

Question

"how do you know him?" vs "where did you meet?"

These two phrases are not directly comparable as they inquire about different aspects of a relationship. 'How do you know him?' is used to ask about the way in which someone is acquainted with another person, while 'Where did you meet?' is used to inquire about the specific location or circumstances of an initial encounter. Both phrases are correct in their respective contexts.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

This phrase is used to inquire about the nature of the relationship between the person being addressed and a third party. It seeks information on how the two individuals are connected.

Examples:

How do you know him? Have you been friends for a long time?
How do you know her? Did you work together?
How do you know them? Are they your neighbors?

Alternatives:

How are you acquainted with him?
In what capacity do you know him?
What is your relationship with him?
How did you meet him?
How did you come to know him?

This phrase is used to ask about the place or situation in which two individuals first encountered each other. It seeks information about the meeting point.

Examples:

Where did you meet? Was it at a party?
Where did you meet her? Did you meet at school?
Where did you meet them? Was it at a conference?

Alternatives:

Where did you first encounter each other?
At what location did you first meet?
Where was your initial meeting place?
Where did you first come across each other?
Where did you first make each other's acquaintance?

Answer 1

how do you know him?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about the way in which someone is acquainted with another person.

Answer 2

where did you meet?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to inquire about the specific location or circumstances of an initial encounter.

"how do you know him?" vs "where did you meet?"

how do you know him?

where did you meet?

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