Cool MateWhat do you say vs What do you think
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What do you say
Top 2,000 (common)
What do you think
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: What do you think
| What do you say | What do you think | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt də jʊ seɪ//🇺🇸 //wɑt də ju seɪ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt də juː θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //wɑt də ju θɪŋk// |
| Meaning | A way to ask someone what they think or how they respond. | Ask someone for their opinion. |
| Example | I just told her my idea; what do you say? | What do you think about this plan? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | what do you say to, what do you say about, what do you say we | ask what you think, what do you think about, I wonder what you think |
| Antonyms | silence, ignore, refuse to answer | I don't think, I have no opinion, I disagree, I believe the opposite |
| Common mistakes | Omitting the question mark when used as a direct question, Using it in very formal situations where a more direct phrase is better, Confusing it with 'what do you mean?' | Confused with 'what do you want', Forgetting to use a question mark at the end, Using it too abruptly without context |
| Usage notes | Used when prompting someone for a response. Generally appropriate in casual and semi-formal contexts. | Use in discussions to invite others' opinions. Avoid in formal presentations or when you expect a specific answer. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: What do you say vs What do you think
What's the difference between What do you say and What do you think?
What do you say: A way to ask someone what they think or how they respond. What do you think: Ask someone for their opinion.
Which is more common: What do you say and What do you think?
What do you think is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
What do you say: I just told her my idea; what do you say? What do you think: What do you think about this plan?
Can I use What do you say and What do you think interchangeably?
Not always. What do you say 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.