What is the Difference Between How About and What About?

The difference between "how about" and "what about" lies in their usage and the level of certainty or openness to alternatives they convey. Here are the key distinctions:

• How about: This phrase is used when making suggestions or proposing an action. It is typically used when the speaker feels more optimistic and confident about their suggestion, and is more likely to stick to their idea. For example: "How about spending the day in the city?".
• What about: This phrase is also used to make suggestions or propose actions, but it is often used when the speaker feels less certain and is more open to hearing alternatives. It can also be used to mention potential objections or problems. For example: "What about my guitar lesson on Saturday?".

In some contexts, "how about you" and "what about you" can be used interchangeably to ask someone to respond to what the speaker just said or to ask whether something/someone is included. For example: "I work at the local hospital. What about you?" and "I work at the local hospital. How about you?" are both correct and convey the same meaning.

Comparative Table: How About vs What About

The difference between "how about" and "what about" lies in their usage and meaning. Here is a table comparing the two:

For example, "How about we go to the park instead of the movies?" is a suggestion for an alternative activity, while "What about those new shoes you bought?" is a question asking for information or an opinion about the shoes.