Cool MateHow do you take it vs What do you think
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How do you take it
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
What do you think
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most formal: What do you thinkMost common: What do you think
| How do you take it | What do you think | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ duː juː teɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //haʊ duː ju teɪk ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt də juː θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //wɑt də ju θɪŋk// |
| Meaning | How do you feel about it? | Ask someone for their opinion. |
| Example | After the meeting, I asked her, 'How do you take it?' | What do you think about this plan? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | take it easy, take it or leave it, take it to heart, take it personally | ask what you think, what do you think about, I wonder what you think |
| Antonyms | - | I don't think, I have no opinion, I disagree, I believe the opposite |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal contexts where a direct question is better., Not following up with specifics after asking., Confusing with 'What do you think about it?' which is more formal. | Confused with 'what do you want', Forgetting to use a question mark at the end, Using it too abruptly without context |
| Usage notes | Used informally when asking someone for their opinion or reaction to something. It’s casual and often used among friends. | Use in discussions to invite others' opinions. Avoid in formal presentations or when you expect a specific answer. |
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Frequently asked questions: How do you take it vs What do you think
What's the difference between How do you take it and What do you think?
How do you take it: How do you feel about it? What do you think: Ask someone for their opinion.
Which is more formal: How do you take it and What do you think?
What do you think is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: How do you take it and What do you think?
What do you think is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
How do you take it: After the meeting, I asked her, 'How do you take it?' What do you think: What do you think about this plan?
Can I use How do you take it and What do you think interchangeably?
Not always. How do you take it and What do you think 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.