How about you vs What about you
What’s the difference between them?
How about you
Meaning:
This is a phrase used to ask someone how they are feeling or what their opinion is on a certain subject.
Examples:
1. How about you - have you read the book yet?
2. I'm going to have pizza tonight, how about you?
3. I'm feeling a bit stressed today, how about you?
What about you
Meaning:
Meaning is the same.
Examples:
1. I'm going to the park on Saturday - what about you?
2. I'm having a great day - what about you?
3. I'm not sure what to do next - what about you?
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
How about you
1. What do you think?
2. What's your opinion?
3. How does that sound to you?
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
What about you
1. How about you?
2. What is your opinion?
3. What do you think?
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "how about you", "what about you".
There is no difference between how about you vs what about you, so you can use both of them in any situations.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The first word ‘how about you’ is typically used when inquiring how someone is doing or what plans they have. It can be used in casual conversations amongst friends or family, as well as in more formal scenarios such as a job interview.
When to use the second word?
The second word ‘what about you’ is used for the same purpose as ‘how about you’ but is more often used in situations when the speaker is asking someone a question. It can be used to solicit someone’s opinion or to inquire about their plans.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
Although the words have the same meaning, they are pronounced differently. The word ‘how’ is pronounced as ‘hou’, while the word ‘what’ is pronounced as ‘wot’.
What are common mistakes associated with words?
Since these phrase have the same meaning, there aren't any common mistakes in their usage. You may choose them interchangably.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I love going to the beach in the summer; _____?
2. Im planning to watch a movie tonight, _____?
3. I really like playing tennis on weekends; _____?
4. I prefer coffee in the morning; _____?
5. Im thinking of going for a hike tomorrow; _____?
6. I usually read books in my free time; _____?
1. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Both how about you and what about you can be used interchangeably in this context. Both phrases are used to ask the other person the same question that was just answered, showing interest in their preference or plans.
2. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Either how about you or what about you can be used here. Both phrases are used to inquire about the other person’s plans or preferences in a conversational manner.
3. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Both phrases are suitable in this context. How about you and what about you are used to ask the other person about their preferences or plans, mirroring the previously stated activity.
4. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Both how about you and what about you can be used here. These phrases are commonly used in casual conversation to ask the other person about their preferences after one has stated their own.
5. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Either how about you or what about you can be used in this context. Both phrases serve to ask the other person about their plans or preferences in a friendly and informal manner.
6. Answer: how about you/what about you.
Explanation: Both how about you and what about you are suitable here. They are used to express interest in the other person’s activities or preferences after sharing one’s own.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.