How about we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "How about we" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to suggest an idea or proposal in a conversational manner. Example: "How about we go for a walk after dinner?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tony, how about we see you forever?

The Guardian - Opinion

"How about we do this together?

Independent

"How about we do this," he said.

The New York Times

How about we give this guy alternatives.

The Guardian - Arts

How about we work on the men?

The New Yorker

How about we look at it the other way?

The New York Times

"How about 'We care about your health'?" Fernald offered.

The New Yorker

How about we collect delinquent taxes from everybody else, too?

The Economist

How about we talk about his leukaemia instead?

The Guardian - Film

"How about we make it ten?" Abnesti said.

The New Yorker

How about we just grow our meat in a lab?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "How about we" to introduce a suggestion or proposal in a friendly and collaborative manner, making it clear that the action involves both the speaker and the listener.

Common error

While "How about we" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "We propose" or "It is suggested that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

How about we functions as an initiator for suggestions or proposals. It invites collaboration or agreement, as demonstrated in examples like "How about we go to the Italian place?" According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "How about we" is a very common and grammatically sound way to make suggestions or proposals in English. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it's best suited for informal and semi-formal contexts, while alternatives like "we propose" or "it is suggested that" may be more appropriate for formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the collaborative nature of the suggestion. Examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian showcase its versatility across various topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What if we

This alternative directly proposes a hypothetical scenario for consideration.

Why don't we

This phrase suggests an action with an implied expectation of agreement.

Shall we

A more formal and concise way to suggest a joint action.

Let's

A shortened, informal version of "Let us", proposing a shared action.

What do you say we

This alternative invites the listener's opinion more explicitly.

Perhaps we could

A more tentative suggestion, allowing for greater flexibility.

Maybe we should

Similar to "Perhaps we could", this offers a less assertive suggestion.

We could consider

This phrase proposes an action as one of several possibilities.

Would you like to

This phrase inquire whether someone wants to perform an action together.

What about

Shorter alternative that expects listener to interpret the suggestion from the context.

FAQs

What does "How about we" mean?

The phrase "How about we" is used to introduce a suggestion or proposal, implying that the speaker wishes to perform an action jointly with the listener. For example, "How about we go for a walk?" suggests that both the speaker and listener should go for a walk together.

What can I say instead of "How about we"?

You can use alternatives like "why don't we", "let's", or "shall we" to suggest an action. The choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is "How about we" grammatically correct?

Yes, "How about we" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It is an idiomatic expression used to make suggestions or proposals.

When is it appropriate to use "How about we"?

"How about we" is appropriate in informal and semi-formal settings when you want to make a suggestion or proposal. It's less suitable for highly formal or professional contexts, where more direct language may be preferred.