# hem vs how

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### hem
*intj · IPA /hɛm/ · frequency rank #21,236*
Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.

### how
*adverb · IPA /haʊ/ · frequency rank #67*
To what degree or extent.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-02.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hem-vs-how