How about you wait out here vs Stay here

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

How about you wait out here

Top 2,000 (common)

Stay here

Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Stay here
 How about you wait out hereStay here
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //haʊ əˈbaʊt juː weɪt aʊt hɪə//🇺🇸 //haʊ əˈbaʊt ju weɪt aʊt hɪr//🇬🇧 //steɪ hɪə//🇺🇸 //steɪ hɪr//
MeaningLet's stay outside for a while.Don't leave this place.
ExampleHow about you wait out here while I grab the groceries?Please stay here while I find a seat.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)
Collocationswait out, wait outside, how about youstay here for now, stay here and wait, stay here with me
Antonyms-leave, go away, depart
Common mistakesUsing 'wait' without 'out here' - missing context., Saying 'wait for here' which is incorrect., Mispronouncing 'wait' as 'weight'.Confusing with 'stay away' which means to not come near., Incorrectly using 'stay' with a subject that does not fit, like 'stay he'.
Usage notesCommonly used when asking someone to stay outside while waiting for something. Appropriate in casual conversations.Used to instruct someone to remain in a specific location. More common in neutral and informal contexts, but can be appropriate in formal situations too.

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How about you wait out here
Stay here

Frequently asked questions: How about you wait out here vs Stay here

What's the difference between How about you wait out here and Stay here?

How about you wait out here: Let's stay outside for a while. Stay here: Don't leave this place.

Which is more common: How about you wait out here and Stay here?

Stay here is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

How about you wait out here: How about you wait out here while I grab the groceries? Stay here: Please stay here while I find a seat.

Can I use How about you wait out here and Stay here interchangeably?

Not always. How about you wait out here and Stay here 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.