I am an English teacher, but I am not an English-major graduate. I am teaching beginners to the English language but some of my students are so inquisitive. I am sometimes confused with what to answer them. This forum has really helped me a lot.
Today, one of my students asked me, “When do we use what and how in situations like, What a beautiful house and How beautiful?”
I was confused. I told her that I had to think for a while. Later, I told her that we can use what when we use the articles a/an and how when we don’t. Additionally, I said, “We don’t use nouns after the adjective when we use how, or we could rearrange the words.”
Examples:
What a huge garden!
How huge! or How huge a garden!
Now, my question is: Was everything I told her correct?
If not, I want some clarification about this matter. Can anybody help me, please?
Thanks a lot!