HOW ABOUT vs WHAT ABOUT – Learn the Difference & Usage
How about...? and What about...? may look very similar, but they serve different purposes in conversation. How about is primarily used to make a suggestion or propose an idea. What about is used to raise an objection or point out a potential problem with a suggestion. Both are also used in other common ways, such as asking someone's opinion or inquiring about information.
1. How About...? (Making Suggestions)
Use how about when you want to suggest an idea or propose a course of action. It often follows phrases like "How about + Verb‑ing" or "How about + Noun".
Tom: Hey John, my birthday is today. What should we do?
John: How about celebrating your birthday in the Golden Garden with the poor street children?
Tom: Oh John, that's a good idea.
More Examples of "How About"
1) How about going to see a movie? / How about going to a movie?
2) How about walking in the garden for half an hour every day?
3) How about reading a novel right now?
4) How about doing some shopping and then seeing a movie tonight?
5) How about we make dinner tonight?
6) How about applying for a part-time job?
7) How about a short vacation to Port Blair next week?
2. What About...? (Raising an Objection or Pointing Out a Problem)
Use what about when you want to mention a potential problem or something that might have been forgotten. It shows hesitation or draws attention to a negative point.
Tom: Let's watch a movie tonight?
John: But what about our math exam tomorrow?
(John points out a problem – the exam – that makes the plan difficult.)
Contrasting How About and What About
Jane: How about going on a short trip?
Olivia: But what about my English test on Sunday? (There is a problem – the test.)
Oliver: How about we go for a picnic next weekend?
Olivia: That's a good idea, but what about the kids? (We must arrange child care first.)
We should leave right now. But what about our breakfast? / But what about the meeting?
Tom: How about spending a week in New York City?
John: But what about our old parents?
Tom: We need a good amount of money to start a business in such a big city like London.
John: How about taking a loan from the bank?
3. Other Common Uses of "What About" and "How About"
A) Asking Someone's Opinion or Situation ("What about you?" / "How about you?")
When you want to ask the same question back to someone, you can use either expression. What about you? often asks "What are you doing/thinking/feeling?" while How about you? asks "How are you doing/feeling?".
Jane: I'm having dinner and what about you? (= What are you doing?)
John: I'm watching a movie.
Jane: I'm feeling so tired after a long journey. How about you? (= How are you feeling?)
John: I'm feeling a little bit dizzy.
Jane: All are coming with me. What about you?
John: I'm too.
B) Making a Suggestion (Both Can Be Used)
Both how about and what about can be used to make suggestions, but how about is the more common and natural choice for proposing an action.
1) We are all bored. How about going for a walk?
2) We are all tired. What about a break?
3) She didn't attend the last meeting. What about sending her an email about the next meeting?
4) We're all free today. How about a trip to the zoo this afternoon?
C) Asking for Information About Somebody or Something
1) How about Olivia? Have you heard from her?
2) We're all going to the beach. What about Kenny?
3) What about the people who can't afford health insurance?
4) You can throw this one away. But what about the others? (What should we do with the others?)
D) Asking Someone to Respond / Tell Something
1) I like skiing and hiking. What about you? What sports do you like?
2) Everyone else is coming. What about you?
| How about | Best for making suggestions or proposing ideas. |
| What about | Best for raising objections, pointing out problems, or asking about something that may have been forgotten. |
| Both | Can ask for someone's opinion, feelings, or information. |
English is a language just like your mother tongue. Practice using how about and what about in conversations to sound more natural. If you're proposing a fun idea, reach for how about; if you need to mention a concern, use what about.
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