 Difference between how about and what about from espressoenglish.net How about and what about are very similar, but there is a small difference in the way they are usually used in everyday spoken English. Use how about to make suggestions and open possibilities. For example, imagine this conversation. I have the day off from work tomorrow. What should we do? How about spending the day in the city? Nah, I don't feel like traveling. Okay, then how about cleaning the house? No way. I want to do something fun. How about doing some shopping and then seeing a movie? In this dialogue, the phrase how about is used to make three different suggestions. How about spending the day in the city? How about cleaning the house? How about doing some shopping? Use what about to mention an objection or potential problem. Here's another example dialogue. Let's go camping this weekend. But what about my guitar lesson on Saturday? Just call the teacher and reschedule it. And what about the English test on Monday? I haven't studied yet. You can study on Sunday night when we get back. Okay, but what about the weather? Isn't it going to be rather cold? In this dialogue, what about is used to introduce three potential problems? What about my guitar lesson? What about the English test? What about the weather? There is one case when how about and what about are the same. When you ask how about you or what about you? This is used to ask the same question to the other person. For example, if your friend calls you and says what are you doing? You say just relaxing and watching some TV. How about you? If someone you meet asks where do you work? You can say at the local university. What about you? Again, how about you and what about you are used to ask the same question to the other person. Thanks for watching English Tips from Espresso English. If you liked this video, please share it.