Cool MateHow'd you like it vs What did you think
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How'd you like it
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
What did you think
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: What did you thinkMost common: What did you think
| How'd you like it | What did you think | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊd jʊ laɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //haʊd jʊ laɪk ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt dɪd jə θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //wʌt dɪd jə θɪŋk// |
| Meaning | What did you think about it? | A phrase asking for someone's opinion. |
| Example | So, how'd you like it at the concert last night? | 'What did you think' about the ending of the book? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | how'd you like it at, how'd you like it in, how'd you like it when | ask what did you think, wonder what did you think, tell me what did you think |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'how do you like it' for present situations, Omitting 'you' — incorrect as 'how'd like it?', Using in overly formal situations | Using 'What you think?' instead of 'What did you think?', Forgetting to use past tense when asking about a previous event., Not following up for elaboration after the question. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations to ask someone's opinion. Avoid in formal settings. | Use this question when seeking someone's thoughts about something. It's appropriate in both casual and formal situations but should be framed contextually. |
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Frequently asked questions: How'd you like it vs What did you think
What's the difference between How'd you like it and What did you think?
How'd you like it: What did you think about it? What did you think: A phrase asking for someone's opinion.
Which is more formal: How'd you like it and What did you think?
What did you think is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: How'd you like it and What did you think?
What did you think is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
How'd you like it: So, how'd you like it at the concert last night? What did you think: 'What did you think' about the ending of the book?
Can I use How'd you like it and What did you think interchangeably?
Not always. How'd you like it and What did 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.