how you do that vs How could you do that

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'How you do that' is a simple present tense question, while 'How could you do that' is a past tense question expressing surprise or disapproval. The choice between them depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: April 10, 2024 • 139 views

This phrase is correct when used as a simple present tense question.

"how you do that"

This phrase is used to ask about a current action or process. It is a direct question in the present tense.

Examples:

Can you show me how you do that?
Do you remember how you do that?
Tell me how you do that.
Explain to me how you do that.
I wonder how you do that.

Show examples from the web [+]

Without getting too much into the question of the nature and purpose of grammar (a traditional, formal, writer would say that “how you do that" is wrong, ...
How Ya Do Dat Lyrics: Unngghh, How you do that there (remix), how you do that there / New Orleans, Baton Rouge How you do that there / Lafeyette, ...

Alternatives:

how do you do that
how are you doing that
how can you do that
how would you do that
how will you do that

This phrase is correct when expressing surprise or disapproval about a past action.

"How could you do that"

This phrase is used to express shock, surprise, or disapproval about a past action. It is a question in the past tense.

Examples:

How could you do that to me?
I can't believe how could you do that!
How could you do that without asking?
How could you do that knowing the consequences?
How could you do that to someone you care about?

Show examples from the web [+]

Mar 25, 2022 ... How could you do that?” Of the injuries he sustained, Colon says the most painful are five broken ribs. He also has a broken ankle and ...
Nov 18, 2020 ... Synonym for how could you do that How could you did that is incorrect. How could you do that is in the present or hypothetical or happened ...
May 2, 2020 ... 1: How could you do that? = "rhetorical question" - speaker is expressing shock / disapproval that you did it. 2: How could you have done ...
Hello, everyone. Could you please explain to me the difference between How could you do that to me? and How could you have done that to me? when asked as...

Alternatives:

why did you do that
how did you do that
how can you do that
how would you do that
how will you do that

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