[Grammar] the meaning of "a good example of how he doesn't give much away"

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optimistic pessimist

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Dear all,

In the passage below, do you think the "how" in bold can be replaced by "the way" without changing the meaning?

'...It's perhaps not much known that the novelist has a musical side. I was only vaguely aware of it, if at all, when I interviewed him, though I'd known him by then for several years - a good example of how he doesn't give much away....'

I'm not sure if the "how" has such a clear meaning in this particular case.

Thank you!

OP
 

bhaisahab

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Dear all,

In the passage below, do you think the "how" in bold can be replaced by "the way" without changing the meaning?

'...It's perhaps not much known that the novelist has a musical side. I was only vaguely aware of it, if at all, when I interviewed him, though I'd known him by then for several years - a good example of how he doesn't give much away....'

I'm not sure if the "how" has such a clear meaning in this particular case.

Thank you!

OP

Yes, it could, but I prefer the original.
 

konungursvia

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I had an English professor who usually used the turn of phrase "the way in which" in this situation, and I eventually grew to prefer it thanks to his influence.
 
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