Cool MateHow about vs How's about
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How about
Top 2,000 (common)
How's about
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: How aboutMost common: How about
| How about | How's about | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //haʊ əˈbaʊt// | 🇬🇧 //haʊz əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //haʊz əˈbaʊt// |
| Meaning | What do you think about? | What do you think about this? |
| Example | How about going to the movies tonight? | How's about we go for a hike this weekend? |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | how about dinner, how about a meeting, how about some help | how's about dinner, how's about a visit, how's about a break |
| Common mistakes | Omitting the subject after 'how about', Using 'how about' in affirmative statements instead of questions, Confusing with 'what about' in some contexts | Used in formal situations where 'how about' would be appropriate., Confused with other phrases like 'how about that'., Adding unnecessary words like 'how's about that'. |
| Usage notes | Use in suggestions or proposals. It’s neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used in casual conversations to propose or suggest an idea, often in friendly contexts. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: How about vs How's about
What's the difference between How about and How's about?
How about: What do you think about? How's about: What do you think about this?
Which is more formal: How about and How's about?
How about is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: How about and How's about?
How about is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
How about: How about going to the movies tonight? How's about: How's about we go for a hike this weekend?
Can I use How about and How's about interchangeably?
Not always. How about and How's about 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.