Meaning & use
how about
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
used to suggest something or offer a choice
Grammar: Often starts a sentence and is followed by a noun, an -ing form, or a clause.
Patterns
- how about something
- how about doing something
- how about we do something
How about a walk after lunch?
How about meeting at seven instead?
How about we take the train?
phrasefixed phraseinformal
used to ask for someone's opinion or reaction to something
Grammar: Often used when you want to hear what someone thinks about a plan or idea.
Patterns
- how about something
- how about that
How about the new restaurant on the corner?
How about that? She actually won!
Common combinations
- how about you?
- I'm tired. How about you?
- how about that
- He got the job — how about that!
- how about a drink
- How about a drink before dinner?
Synonyms and how they differ
- what about
- Very similar, but 'what about' is often used to raise a problem or a point you have just thought of: 'What about the cost?'
Commonly confused: how about or what about?
how about vs what about
'How about' usually makes a suggestion; 'what about' often asks about something that needs attention, as in 'What about your homework?'
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses 'how about' to make a suggestion?
Choose one answer.
'How about' can be followed by an -ing form when suggesting an activity, so 'How about going to the beach?' is correct. 'How about go' and 'How about to go' are not grammatical, and while 'How about we go...' is possible in informal speech, option 3 is the standard pattern tested here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “how about”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.