to have an idea how

[towcats1]

Dear Teachers. Which sentence is correct?
Do you have an idea how to do it? or Do you have an idea of how to do it?

 

[Tarheel]

I think they are both correct.

 

[emsr2d2]

[STRIKE]Dear teachers.[/STRIKE] Unnecessary. You're not writing a formal letter.

Hello.

Which sentence is correct?

1. Do you have any idea how to do it? [STRIKE]or[/STRIKE]
2. Do you have an idea of how to do it?

Please note my corrections and comments above.

With my correction, sentence 1 is OK. I don't find sentence 2 natural at all.

 

[Tarheel]

Well, I said:

I think they are both correct.

That doesn't mean I'd use either of them. Instead, I would say:

Do you know how to do it?

 

[Tarheel]

Jack: Do you have any idea how to do it?
Mack: Do I have any idea how to do what?
Jack: Fly an airplane.
Mack: Vaguely. You sure wouldn't want me to be your pilot.

 

[jutfrank]

This is a tough question for me and I can't make up my mind.

1) Do you have any idea how to do it?

This is definitely correct.

2) Do you have an idea how to do it.

I don't think this is right, but I can't explain why.

3) Do you have an idea of how to do it?

This is fine.

4) Do you have any idea of how to do it?

This doesn't seem quite right. I don't know why.

I'm quite convinced there is an explanation to be had, but I can't work out exactly what it is. I think it's something to do with specifying the idea.