How About You vs. What About You

how synonyms what

You have heard 'how about you' and 'what about you' many times but do you know their difference? In this lesson, we will learn more about these two.

"How About You" vs. "What About You" in the English grammar

What Is Their Main Difference?

'How about you' and 'what about you' are both idiomatic expressions used to ask someone for their opinion or response, but they can also have slightly different implications depending on the context in which they are used.

Usage

'How about you' is often used in situations where the speaker is expressing a preference or making a suggestion, and wants to know if the other person shares their opinion. It can also be used to express empathy or solidarity, and to show that the speaker is interested in the other person's feelings or experiences. For example:

A : I'm feeling really stressed out today. How about you?

B : Yeah, me too. It's been a tough week.

'What about you' is often used in situations where the speaker wants to know if the other person has any additional information or thoughts on a particular topic. It can be used to prompt discussion, gather information, or encourage participation. For example:

A : I loved the movie. What about you?

B : I think the directing was great.

Are They Interchangeable?

'How about you' and 'what about you' are often used interchangeably and the choice depends on the speaker and their judgment of the situation.

We are going out after work. How about you?

We are going out after work. What about you?

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