Cool MateHow about vs What do you think vs Why not
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How about
Top 2,000 (common)
What do you think
Top 1,000 (very common)
Why not
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most common: What do you think
| How about | What do you think | Why not | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //haʊ əˈbaʊt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt də juː θɪŋk//🇺🇸 //wɑt də ju θɪŋk// | 🇬🇧 //waɪ nɒt//🇺🇸 //waɪ nɑt// |
| Meaning | What do you think about? | Ask someone for their opinion. | A suggestion to consider an idea or action. |
| Example | How about going to the movies tonight? | What do you think about this plan? | You should try the new restaurant; why not? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | how about dinner, how about a meeting, how about some help | ask what you think, what do you think about, I wonder what you think | suggest trying, consider doing, encouragement to |
| Antonyms | - | I don't think, I have no opinion, I disagree, I believe the opposite | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting the subject after 'how about', Using 'how about' in affirmative statements instead of questions, Confusing with 'what about' in some contexts | Confused with 'what do you want', Forgetting to use a question mark at the end, Using it too abruptly without context | Misusing in formal contexts where other phrases are more appropriate., Confusing with 'why not?' as a question instead of a suggestion. |
| 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. | Use in discussions to invite others' opinions. Avoid in formal presentations or when you expect a specific answer. | Commonly used in casual conversations to encourage someone to try or consider something. Avoid in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: How about vs What do you think vs Why not
What's the difference between How about, What do you think, and Why not?
How about: What do you think about? What do you think: Ask someone for their opinion. Why not: A suggestion to consider an idea or action.
Which is more common: How about, What do you think, and Why not?
What do you think is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
How about: How about going to the movies tonight? What do you think: What do you think about this plan? Why not: You should try the new restaurant; why not?
Can I use How about, What do you think, and Why not interchangeably?
Not always. How about, What do you think, and Why not 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.