How do this work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Your first example, how it works , is a free relative clause which cannot be used as a question. Your second, How does it work? What I'm going to call an "interrogative phrase" IP is a sort of 'variable' which stands for an unknown 'value'.

The IP is headed by a word which defines the 'type' of value for which it stands: who , what , which define the type as nominal, how , where , why define the type as adverbial, and the construction what The IP may also be followed by additional terms which further restrict the type— how many or what sort of machine. Two sorts of clause employ IPs: questions and free relative clauses.

In both types of clause the IP represents a constituent of an ordinary declarative clause, 'moved' to the beginning of the clause from the place where the constituent would normally stand:.

A question asks the hearer to supply the value for the variable named by the IP and defined by the remainder of the clause.

A question is an independent clause—it can stand on its own. The first syntactic rule is that first constituent 1 after the IP must be a tensed verb. If the IP stands for the subject of the clause, nothing has to move, because the IP and the verb are already in these positions:. But if the IP stands for some other constituent, the tensed verb must fall before the Subject, and a second rule comes into play: the tensed verb must be an Auxiliary. Grammarians call this subject-auxiliary inversion.

If the 'canonical' statement version of the clause does not have an Auxiliary verb, the appropriate form of DO is pressed into service. Grammarians call this DO-support.

Thus the proper form for a question using how is this, with both subject-auxiliary inversion and DO-support:. A free relative clause does not ask for the value of the IP but designates it—hearers may fill it in from their knowledge, but the actual value is not required. A free relative clause does not call for either inversion or DO-support, regardless of which constituent the IP stands for. A free relative clause is always a dependent clause—it is embedded inside a 'head' clause and acts as a noun phrase.

In these three examples, the head clause is in ordinary black type; the free relative acts as Direct Object, as Subject, and as the Object of the preposition about.

Since DO-support is not in play here the tensed verbs are not distinguished. How it works , then, with the subject before the verb, is a free relative clause. Here are some examples of how it might be used:. Such a sentence construction can be correctly used as an assertive statement for instance, newspaper headings. Another example is:. Here, 'how it works' is correct because it isn't a direct part of the question being asked. This construction is used in interrogative sentences.

If you're using a sentence fragment rather than a sentence proper in your first example say as a section heading , you'd drop the question mark and probably the period :. Humility is at the heart of a growth mindset that encourages and models learning instead of defensiveness in the face of setbacks, paving the way for creativity and resilience. Duncan: Conflict, even if rare, is inevitable in most any work setting. Ulrich: Conflict is not only inevitable, it is valuable, bringing problems to light and different viewpoints to bear on problems.

But conflict can also be destructive if not handled with fairness, respect, and good will. If we are contemptuous, critical, or cruel we can expect to get defensiveness and anger in return. If we are calm, curious, and compassionate as we try to both explain our point of view and listen to others, conflict can help us get to better outcomes for all.

Ulrich: Take a careful look at your deepest values for how to treat other people especially in the face of disagreement , what matters most in life, what problems you like to solve or want to solve, or what personal strengths are most meaningful to you to contribute to others. Then actively look for ways to live those values, even in small ways, in the everyday work you do. Living with meaning and purpose is not easy.

It may not make us happy in the moment. It requires self-reflection, effort, getting our hands dirty, and struggling with problems that can make us feel frustrated and inadequate. Ulrich: When we ask workshop participants to identify leaders who shaped their lives, everyone can quickly name someone.

These leaders generally model the principles of abundance in their personal lives and work to instill them in others. Leaders who are meaning-makers are acutely aware of how their good intentions need to show up in good behaviors; how their daily interactions need to reflect their personal values; and how their job as a leader is not just to be personally authentic, but to help others develop their authenticity.

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Open the door to employee engagement. McGraw Hill. Here's Why. A Quote Quiz. The Dalai Lama stresses practical wisdom in his words about finding joy and peace, and spreading kindness. These are ideas we can all get behind.

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