Cool MateHow about that vs How do you like that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How about that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
How do you like that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: How do you like that
| How about that | How do you like that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //haʊ əˈbaʊt ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //haʊ duː juː laɪk ðæt//🇺🇸 //haʊ duː jʊ laɪk ðæt// |
| Meaning | What do you think about that? | What do you think about that? |
| Example | She just got the job she wanted—how about that! | I just got my new phone! How do you like that? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | how about that for a story, can you believe it, how about that, how about that idea | how do you like that idea, how do you like that place, how do you like that style |
| Antonyms | never mind, forget it | - |
| Common mistakes | Used in overly formal situations., Confused with 'how about this?' in suggestions., Mispronounced as separate words instead of as a phrase. | Using it in overly formal settings., Confusing it with 'What do you think?' and using them interchangeably., Forgetting to adjust intonation for emphasis. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase informally to express surprise or to seek agreement. It's casual and should be avoided in formal contexts. | Use this phrase to ask for someone's opinion. It's neutral in tone and can be used in various contexts, but avoid using it in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: How about that vs How do you like that
What's the difference between How about that and How do you like that?
How about that: What do you think about that? How do you like that: What do you think about that?
Which is more formal: How about that and How do you like that?
How do you like that is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
How about that: She just got the job she wanted—how about that! How do you like that: I just got my new phone! How do you like that?
Can I use How about that and How do you like that interchangeably?
Not always. How about that and How do you like that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.