Both words are used to introduce a rhetorical question, but they have different functions. What about is used to ask a question that invites a response, such as “What about the economy?” or “What about our safety?” Whereas, how about asks for a more general response, such as “How about we go out for dinner tonight?”
What About and How About
“What About” is a simple word that is used to introduce a suggestion or proposal. “How About” is a more formal word that is used when making an offer, suggesting an option, or proposing a plan.
Both words are acceptable in most situations, but there are some key differences to be aware of. For example, when asking someone what they want to drink, you would use “what about coffee?” rather than “how about coffee?” This is because the first sentence is informal and friendly, while the second sentence implies that you are prepared to serve them coffee.
Another important difference between “what about” and “how about” relates to time. When making a suggestion or proposal, it’s generally best to use “what about” since it refers to possibilities rather than deadlines. For example, if you’re suggesting that the two of you go for dinner tonight, you would say “what about dinner tonight?” rather than “let’s have dinner tonight.” This is because saying “let’s have dinner tonight” feels like a demand rather than an invitation.
The Difference
What about is a filler word that is often used when people don’t know what to say. For example, “What about dinner tonight?” or “What about that new movie?” Instead of saying “What are you talking about?”, people might say “What about dinner tonight?” or “What about the new movie?”.
How about, on the other hand, is used when someone wants to emphasize something. For example, if someone says they want to go out for dinner but they’re not sure what they want to eat, they would say “How about we go out for pizza tonight?” This shows that they are very interested in going out for dinner and they want to choose something specific.
Examples of How About
How about we start with some examples of how about can be used.
“I was wondering if you would like to come to my birthday party. It would be about how about you come?”
“I think it’s about time we had a conversation about what’s going on between us.”
“It seems like there might be something going on between you and that guy, what about you tell me more?”
Examples of What About
What about is an informal way of saying “what about you?” It’s often used when the speaker wants to know what the other person is thinking or feeling. For example, let’s say John asks Jane what she thinks about his new haircut. Jane might reply, “What about it? It looks good to me.”
Answer ( 1 )
Difference Between How About and What About
Both words are used to introduce a rhetorical question, but they have different functions. What about is used to ask a question that invites a response, such as “What about the economy?” or “What about our safety?” Whereas, how about asks for a more general response, such as “How about we go out for dinner tonight?”
What About and How About
“What About” is a simple word that is used to introduce a suggestion or proposal. “How About” is a more formal word that is used when making an offer, suggesting an option, or proposing a plan.
Both words are acceptable in most situations, but there are some key differences to be aware of. For example, when asking someone what they want to drink, you would use “what about coffee?” rather than “how about coffee?” This is because the first sentence is informal and friendly, while the second sentence implies that you are prepared to serve them coffee.
Another important difference between “what about” and “how about” relates to time. When making a suggestion or proposal, it’s generally best to use “what about” since it refers to possibilities rather than deadlines. For example, if you’re suggesting that the two of you go for dinner tonight, you would say “what about dinner tonight?” rather than “let’s have dinner tonight.” This is because saying “let’s have dinner tonight” feels like a demand rather than an invitation.
The Difference
What about is a filler word that is often used when people don’t know what to say. For example, “What about dinner tonight?” or “What about that new movie?” Instead of saying “What are you talking about?”, people might say “What about dinner tonight?” or “What about the new movie?”.
How about, on the other hand, is used when someone wants to emphasize something. For example, if someone says they want to go out for dinner but they’re not sure what they want to eat, they would say “How about we go out for pizza tonight?” This shows that they are very interested in going out for dinner and they want to choose something specific.
Examples of How About
How about we start with some examples of how about can be used.
“I was wondering if you would like to come to my birthday party. It would be about how about you come?”
“I think it’s about time we had a conversation about what’s going on between us.”
“It seems like there might be something going on between you and that guy, what about you tell me more?”
Examples of What About
What about is an informal way of saying “what about you?” It’s often used when the speaker wants to know what the other person is thinking or feeling. For example, let’s say John asks Jane what she thinks about his new haircut. Jane might reply, “What about it? It looks good to me.”