how about doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"how about doing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to make suggestions or offer alternatives. For example: "I don't feel like going out tonight. How about doing a movie night at home instead?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

How about doing the same with software?

The New York Times

"How about doing it after hours?" one said.

The New Yorker

Or, they suggest, how about doing the work at night?

The Economist

How about doing something big that is not liberal?

The New Yorker

How about doing Petit Le Mans, in October?

The Guardian - Sport

QUESTION FROM GREG: How about doing a list that focuses on new writers, regardless of age?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

How about "Do your bit for global warming"?

The Economist

How about don't fuck him?

Vice

How about don't play me a song, Piano Man.

Vice

Bill Loveless: How they go about doing that?

Columbia University

How's about Do the Dog?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "how about doing" with a specific activity or action. For example, "How about doing some research?" or "How about doing a quick review?"

Common error

Avoid using "how about doing" in formal writing or professional settings where a more direct or assertive tone is required. Instead, opt for alternatives such as "we suggest" or "it is recommended".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about doing" functions as an interrogative suggestion. It proposes an action or activity while seeking input or agreement from the listener or reader. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how about doing" is a common and grammatically sound way to offer suggestions or propose alternatives. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability across various contexts, though primarily in informal settings. It's important to consider the formality of your audience when using this phrase, opting for more direct alternatives in professional environments. The most frequent contexts for this phrase are News & Media, Wiki, and Science. To avoid sounding too casual in formal contexts, consider using phrases like "we suggest" or "it is recommended" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what about doing

Replaces "how" with "what", offering a slightly more direct alternative.

how does doing sound

Asks for an opinion on the proposed activity.

what do you say to doing

Presents the suggestion as a question, inviting a more explicit response.

what are your thoughts on doing

Directly asks for the other person's opinion about engaging in the activity.

have you considered doing

Suggests something that may not have been previously thought of.

why not do

Offers a direct suggestion, often implying that there's no good reason not to.

would you be interested in doing

Poses the suggestion as a question of interest, suitable for more formal scenarios.

perhaps we could do

Suggests the activity as a possibility, leaving room for discussion.

maybe we should do

Suggests an action with a slightly more casual and tentative tone.

let's think about doing

Proposes considering the activity, rather than immediately committing to it.

FAQs

How to use "how about doing" in a sentence?

Use "how about doing" to suggest an activity or offer an alternative. For example, "How about doing some exercise today?" or "I don't want to go to the movies. How about doing something else?". Note that it is most appropriate in informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "how about doing"?

You can use alternatives like "what about doing", "why not do", or "have you considered doing" depending on the context.

Is "how about doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how about doing" is grammatically correct. It is a common and acceptable way to make a suggestion or propose an alternative action.

When is it appropriate to use "how about doing"?

"How about doing" is appropriate in informal settings, such as conversations with friends or colleagues. It may not be suitable for formal writing or professional presentations.