How he disappeared vs How did he disappear

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'How he disappeared' is used in reported speech or indirect questions, while 'How did he disappear?' is used in direct questions. They cannot be directly compared as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1153 views

This phrase is correct when used in reported speech or indirect questions.

"How he disappeared"

This phrase is used when reporting someone else's words or thoughts, or when asking a question indirectly.

Show examples from the web [+]

Figuring out how he disappeared should shed some light.
But when I heard about Caleb, how he disappeared, I was terrified.
Maybe Mr. Watkins can enlighten us to how he disappeared into thin air.
I know how it sounds, but a man attacked me and then he disappeared.
How old was your son when he disappeared?
How old were you when he disappeared?
Apparently my father did before he disappeared.
If he disappeared, how did you track it down?
Boss, I don't know how he did it, but he's completely disappeared.
Never could understand how you put up with it all those years... the way he treated you, the way he disappeared.
How come you didn't file a missing person's report when he disappeared?
About a month after he disappeared, he sent me a postcard.
I remember my dad helped organize a fundraiser for Rory when he disappeared.
Two days ago, he disappeared from his loft in Brooklyn.
I mean, after he disappeared.
When the fake Santa, Jayson Walt, made bail, he disappeared.
He disappeared about five minutes ago.
We have his sworn testimony - before he disappeared into thin air.
They think he disappeared his men and then made off with the list.
~ And then he disappeared, apparently.

This phrase is correct when used in direct questions.

"How did he disappear"

This phrase is used when asking a question directly about the way someone disappeared.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, how did he disappear so fast?
You know how he disappears into his work.
No matter how many times he disappears or disappoints me, he has a hold on me.
How did they disappear without leaving a trail?
- He disappears and becomes Bill Carson.
The only thing in question is how did you disappear?
So, how did they make the phony money disappear from the vault?
Mysterious phone call, he disappears.
He's there and then he disappears.
We take him, otherwise he disappears.
If he disappears, you inherit his debt.
He disappears, the killings stop.
First he disappears then back he comes when it suits him.
Then he disappears and goes somewhere else for another mission.
Tim shows up, and then he disappears.
Aguy earns some money, then he disappears.
He disappears like the morning mist.
Then "poof"... he disappears with the proceeds.
Chambers gets the manila envelope with Medina's itinerary, he disappears.
And then in the next, He disappears into the night.

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How he disappeared vs How did he disappear