"how to spell" vs "how do you spell"

Question

"how to spell" vs "how do you spell"

Both "how to spell" and "how do you spell" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "How to spell" is used when giving instructions or explanations about spelling, while "how do you spell" is used when asking someone to spell a specific word.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

This phrase is used when explaining the correct way to spell a word or phrase.

Examples:

I will teach you how to spell difficult words.
She knows how to spell her name correctly.
Can you show me how to spell this word?
Learning how to spell is an important skill.
The book includes tips on how to spell common words.

Alternatives:

how to correctly spell
how to write the correct spelling of
how to spell correctly
how to write the spelling of
how to write the correct spelling for

This phrase is used when requesting someone to spell out a particular word or phrase.

Examples:

How do you spell 'restaurant'?
Can you tell me how you spell your last name?
How do you spell 'onomatopoeia'?
I forgot how you spell 'accommodation'.
How do you spell 'exaggerate'?

Alternatives:

can you spell
spell for me
spell that for me
what's the spelling of
how do I spell

Answer 1

how to spell

This phrase is correct and commonly used when giving instructions or explanations about spelling.

Answer 2

how do you spell

This phrase is correct and commonly used when asking someone to spell a specific word.

"how to spell" vs "how do you spell"

how to spell

how do you spell

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