how about that

USAGE SUMMARY

"How about that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to show surprise or excitement about something that has just been said or done. For example: "She just won the contest - how about that!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Hey, Magnus, how about that?" he asked.

The New York Times - Arts

JAY: Hey, how about that big scandal?

The New Yorker

Well, how about that?

The Guardian - Sport

"Yeah, how about that?

The New York Times - Magazine

So, how about that twist?

The Washington Post

Well, how about that for a trade?

The Guardian - Sport

Now, how about that popcorn?

Science Magazine

Okay, how about that?

Forbes

RAND: Yeah, how about that?

University of Chicago

Radical exploitive racists, how about that?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

How about before that?

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how about that" to express mild surprise or agreement in a conversational setting. It's particularly effective when reacting to unexpected news or a surprising turn of events.

Common error

Avoid using "how about that" too frequently in your writing, as it can sound repetitive or insincere. Vary your expressions of surprise or agreement to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about that" primarily functions as an interjection or exclamation, expressing a reaction to something unexpected or noteworthy. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples from Ludwig show its use in expressing surprise, agreement, or acknowledging a surprising fact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sport

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how about that" is a versatile phrase used primarily to express surprise, acknowledgement, or agreement in response to something unexpected or noteworthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, particularly in informal contexts. While common in news and media, as well as sports reporting, it's less frequent in academic or scientific writing. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "what do you know" or "isn't that something" to maintain reader engagement. The phrase's informality makes it unsuitable for formal writing, so choose alternative expressions in those contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what do you know

Indicates surprise or acknowledgement of a fact, often implying mild astonishment.

would you look at that

Emphasizes surprise or interest in something observed or mentioned.

well, well, well

Expresses mild surprise or intrigue, often in response to an unexpected revelation.

fancy that

An exclamation of surprise, often used in British English.

who would have thought

Rhetorical question expressing surprise at an unexpected outcome.

isn't that something

Highlights the noteworthy or surprising nature of a situation or piece of information.

get this

Used to introduce surprising or interesting information, urging the listener to pay attention.

check it out

Encourages someone to look at or consider something noteworthy.

believe it or not

Introduces a statement that may seem surprising or unlikely.

that's something else

Expresses surprise or amazement at something remarkable.

FAQs

How can I use "how about that" in a sentence?

You can use "how about that" to express surprise or acknowledge a surprising fact. For example, "She got the promotion? "How about that"!"

What does "how about that" mean?

"How about that" is an expression used to show surprise, acknowledgement, or mild amazement at something that has just been said or has occurred. It can also imply agreement or approval.

What are some alternatives to "how about that"?

You can use alternatives like "what do you know", "would you look at that", or "isn't that something" to express similar sentiments depending on the context.

Is "how about that" formal or informal?

"How about that" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. For more formal settings, consider using more sophisticated expressions of surprise or agreement.