somehow

Everyday

1. Somehow means in some way, although you do not know how or it is hard to explain. tree →
2. Somehow can mean for some reason that you cannot quite say: somehow I didn't trust him. tree →
3. «Somehow or other» means by some way or another, even if it is difficult. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it shows that something happened mysteriously or against the odds: somehow they escaped. In everyday life it shows a feeling without a clear reason, or a plan without details: we'll manage somehow. In maths it can hide steps: «somehow she got 12» means we must find how.

Examples

• Somehow the cat got onto the roof. tree →
• We will get the project finished somehow. tree →
• Somehow I knew it was going to rain. tree →
• The dog somehow opened the gate and ran out. tree →
• I lost my key, but somehow or other I got into the house. tree →
• Somehow the cake didn't taste as good as last time. tree →
• The team was losing, but somehow they won in the last minute. tree →
• Can I not manage to see her somehow? tree →

Note

One word: «somehow», not «some how». Do not mix it up with «somewhat» (a little: somewhat tired) or «anyhow» (anyway, carelessly). It is often put at the start of a sentence or before the verb.