I thought people would use "what do you think of me?" more often than
"how do you think of me?" But the results I found at google are quite
different. Then I wonder which one is more grammatically correct. Or
there is a slight difference in the meaning. Thanks in advance. Best
regards,
Gloria
> Dear all,
Both are correct. There is a difference in meaning, but I find it difficult
to express. "What do you think of me?" is the more commonly wanted
question. Neither question is very common because it puts the responder in
an awkward position.
"What do you think of me?"
Possible responses:
"I think you mean well."
"I think you are being dishonest with yourself."
"I think you are doing fine."
"How do you think of me?"
Possible responses:
"I think of you as you were the day we met."
"I think of you as the daughter I never had."
"What must you think of me?" (Said when the speaker thinks something likely
to create an unfortunate impression has occurred or become known.)
--
Lars Eighner <http://larseighner.com/> September 5903, 1993
281 days since Rick Warren prayed over Bush's third term.
Obama: No hope, no change, more of the same. Yes, he can, but no, he won't.
Thanks for your answer. It seems that both questions are very blunt to
demand a direct answer. I wonder if it is proper to use a sentence
like that: what do you think of Harry or Sally in the film "When Harry
Met Sally"? Would it be a strange expression to say so? Or there is
a better way to ask for people's opinion about somebody. Regards,
Gloria
> > I thought people would use "what do you think of me?" more often than
> > "how do you think of me?" But the results I found at google are quite
> > different. Then I wonder which one is more grammatically correct.
>
> It seems that both questions are very blunt to
> demand a direct answer. I wonder if it is proper to use a sentence
> like that:
Many English speakers share your opinion, but the difference
lies in the domain of social conventions -- not grammar. Late
Victorian social theory suggested that people who were not
long or intimate friends ought to avoid "personal questions."
Some social classes (e.g. proletarians) and some nationalities
(e.g. Americans, Yorkshiremen) have always repudiated this
suggestion -- but it remains non-grammatical.
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
My take, as an American English speaker, is that the "what" question
is asking for criticism or praise, while the "how" question is seeking
your emotional response.
"What do you think of me?"
"I think you are smarter than you give yourself credit for."
"How do you think of me?"
"I think of you as a sister."
Jim Deutch (JimboCat)
--
> Experimental results are NOT the result of "THINKING",
What if they come from a Gedankenexperiment? -- Adam Funk
>Dear all,
>
>I thought people would use "what do you think of me?" more often than
I think you are smart, intelligent, fat, and insolent.
>"how do you think of me?"
I think of you fondly. With love. With animosity.
> But the results I found at google are quite
>different. Then I wonder which one is more grammatically correct. Or
>there is a slight difference in the meaning. Thanks in advance. Best
>regards,
>
>Gloria
--
Posters should say where they live, and for which area
they are asking questions. I was born and then lived in
Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 7 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years