Re : ”The difference between ”What about” & ”How about”

2008-07-16 12:41 am

Please kindly state is there any difference when we use expression
"what about" and "how about"? What will we mostly use? what about or how about? Please quote some examples for its difference if any. My ex-English
tutor said we seldom use how about, but use what about would be more
appropriate, is it correct? For example, "What about to have buffet tonight?"
Is it a correct expression? Or use "How about to have buffet tonight?"
Or they are the same meaning and expression? Please advise. Thanks.

回答 (1)

Hope For Peace

2008-07-16 9:18 pm

✔ 最佳答案

"how about" This is used to make a suggestion.

"what about" This is used as a reminder about something. It is like saying "Let's not forget about......".

Additionally, I would say it has more of a suggestive quality to it because it is an interrogative.

If we say, "Let's not forget.....", it sounds more like a command. (Actually, I'd say it is.) It's a negated imperative form. (first person plural) It is a stronger sounding statement.

Just a reminder for you:
We should use Noun/ gerund after "How about" or "What about".

Examples:
How about going to the cinema?
What about your exam tomorrow?

2008-07-16 19:32:45 補充：
What I mean is we should use Noun/ gerund after "How about" or "What about", instead of to-infinitive.

參考: www.usingenglish.com/forum/ask-teacher/51-what-about-how-about.html

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