The pattern

"How about" plus an -ing verb or a noun makes a quick, light suggestion. "How about Thai food?" "How about meeting at seven?" It is shorter and more casual than "Why don't we", and it is the natural way to offer an alternative when the first idea doesn't work: "Tuesday's bad. How about Wednesday?"

It also turns a question back to someone: "I'm fine. How about you?" In that use it means "and you?", and "What about you?" does the same job.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  5. The alternative: first idea blocked, second idea offered.

  6. In casual speech "how about" can take a whole sentence.

  7. "And you?" Same meaning as "What about you?"

  9. A playful, firm refusal between friends. Only with people who know you're joking.

  10. Said flatly, it expresses mild surprise: "Well, look at that."

Check yourself

1What form follows "How about" when it is a verb?
2Someone says "I'm good. How about you?" What does it mean?
3Your friend suggests Tuesday, but you're busy. What do you say?

Practice · 3 min

Suggest or offer an alternative. Prompt on the left, one natural sentence on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.