Word
somehow
Phoneticssome·how, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəmˌhaʊ/
UK/sˈʌmhaʊ/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that you do not know or cannot explain. You use it when something happens but the reason or method is a mystery.
adv. in a manner or by a means that is not known or specified. Often used to express that a result was achieved despite difficulties or without a clear explanation.
Examples
“We will find the money somehow.”
“The cat had somehow managed to climb onto the highest shelf without breaking any of the glass vases.”
“Despite the heavy snow and the lack of clear directions, the hikers somehow reached the cabin before the sun went down, much to the relief of the rescue team.”
Examples
simple
“We will find the money somehow.”
contextual
“The cat had somehow managed to climb onto the highest shelf without breaking any of the glass vases.”
complex
“Despite the heavy snow and the lack of clear directions, the hikers somehow reached the cabin before the sun went down, much to the relief of the rescue team.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “somehow” in context.
Verb
01. somehow feel different
“Returning to my hometown after ten years, the streets somehow felt different than I remembered.”
adv + verb + adj
02. somehow find the money
“They didn't have much savings, but they somehow found the money to pay for the repairs.”
adv + verb + noun
03. somehow get into trouble
“No matter how hard he tries to be good, he somehow gets into trouble at school every week.”
adv + verb + prep + noun
04. somehow know that he lied
“I had no proof at the time, but I somehow knew that he lied about his whereabouts.”
adv + verb + that-clause
05. somehow manage to finish
“Despite the tight deadline and technical issues, we somehow managed to finish the project on time.”
adv + verb + infinitive
06. somehow survive the winter
“The small plants in the garden somehow survived the unusually harsh winter.”
adv + verb + noun
Usage
Typically placed at the beginning or end of a clause, or before the main verb.
Pitfall
I will do it in somehow
I will do it somehow
Somehow is an adverb and does not require a preposition like 'in' or 'by'.
Real-World Examples
“A pollinator garden somehow loses its pollinators by year two.” “Even when the world is on fire, it somehow doesn’t feel like an emergency for everyone.” Etymology
From some + how.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADVERB
DETERMINER
PRONOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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