Could the phrase "I admire how he managed to ..." be translated using "comment" rather than "comme"?
comme vs. comment
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comme vs. comment
They are quite different in usage and can't be substituted for each other.
Comme: It is primarily used as an adverb meaning "like" or "as." It is used to draw a comparison or indicate a similarity between two things or actions. For example:
Elle chante comme une professionnelle. -- She sings like a professional.Il court vite comme un lévrier. -- He runs fast like a greyhound.
Comment: It is an interrogative adverb meaning "how". It is used to ask questions about the manner, method, or way in which something happens or is done. For example:
Comment allez-vous ? -- How are you?Comment faire ce gâteau ? -- How to make this cake?
Helena, the ‘ how ‘ in the English original either means ‘ that he … ‘ ( most likely in my view ) or refers to the ‘ way/manner in or by which he … ‘ .
Personally, I wouldn’t translate either of these meanings by using ‘ comment ‘ or ‘ comme ‘. What was the translation that was indicated as the ‘ most correct ‘ ?
Maarten,
"How" was translated with "comme", with alternate answers using "la manière dont il ..." and "la façon dont il ...". So the alternates use your second interpretation (the way/manner in which) where as the "most correct" answer translates "comme" as "that" (your first interpretation). Both interpretations could be correct depending on the speaker's intent.
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