how would I/we know

how would I/we know
how would I/we know
— used to say that you do not know the answer to a question and are surprised that you were asked it

“Where did they go?” “How would I know?”

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Main Entry:would

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • how — [ hau ] function word *** How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? I don t know how the system works. (introducing an EXCLAMATION): How I hate the winter!… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • how will/would — used to express doubt that something will happen or is possible How will we (ever) get everything done on time? How would he manage without her? [=I don t know if he will be able to manage without her; I doubt he will manage without her] • • •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • know — know1 W1S1 [nəu US nou] v past tense knew [nju: US nu:] past participle known [nəun US noun] ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(have information)¦ 2¦(be sure)¦ 3¦(be familiar with somebody/something)¦ 4¦(realize)¦ 5¦(skill/experience)¦ 6¦(know somebody s qualities)¦ 7… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • know — 1 verb past tense knew, past participle known INFORMATION 1 (intransitive, transitive not in progressive) to have information about something: Who knows the answer? | Do you happen to know the time? | When are they arriving? Maybe Mrs. Mott knows …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • know — [[t]no͟ʊ[/t]] ♦ knows, knowing, knew, known 1) VERB: no cont If you know a fact, a piece of information, or an answer, you have it correctly in your mind. [V n] I don t know the name of the place... [V …   English dictionary

  • know — I UK [nəʊ] / US [noʊ] verb [never progressive] Word forms know : present tense I/you/we/they know he/she/it knows present participle knowing past tense knew UK [njuː] / US [nu] past participle known UK [nəʊn] / US [noʊn] *** Ways of saying I don… …   English dictionary

  • how */*/*/ — UK [haʊ] / US adverb, conjunction Summary: How can be used in the following ways: as an adverb (introducing a direct or indirect question): How do you spell your last name? ♦ I don t know how the system works. (introducing an exclamation): How I… …   English dictionary

  • how — [[t]ha͟ʊ[/t]] ♦ (The conjunction is pronounced [[t]haʊ[/t]].) 1) QUEST You use how to ask about the way in which something happens or is done. How do I make payments into my account?... How do you manage to keep the place so tidy?... The law,… …   English dictionary

  • know — v. & n. v. (past knew; past part. known) 1 tr. (often foll. by that, how, what, etc.) a have in the mind; have learnt; be able to recall (knows a lot about cars; knows what to do). b (also absol.) be aware of (a fact) (he knows I am waiting; I… …   Useful english dictionary

  • HOW — 1. adv., conj., & n. interrog. adv. 1 by what means, in what way (how do you do it?; tell me how you do it; how could you behave so disgracefully?; but how to bridge the gap?). 2 in what condition, esp. of health (how is the patient?; how do… …   Useful english dictionary

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