how about then

USAGE SUMMARY

"How about then?" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a response or suggestion to a question. For example: Person A: "What should we do for dinner tonight?" Person B: "How about then having a picnic in the park?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

How about then?

The New York Times - Sports

This is America; how about then Europe and the Muslim world at large?

The New York Times

How about then stand-alone pedal generators that are easy to use anytime and anywhere, located centrally, and owned and operated by village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) who don't take a margin on the portable LED lights that they sell to consumers, but only make money on recharging those lights.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

How about droopy, then?

Independent

How about that, then.

The Guardian - Sport

How about Brazil, then?

The Guardian - Sport

How about Dad, then?

The New York Times

"How about angry, then?" "Not at all".

The New Yorker

Biden does a little arms-wide "how about that then?" gesture; Bruce Springsteen chuckles.

The Guardian

How about it, then?" We agreed to go to his flat.

The New Yorker

How about this, then: a Blood Elf or Night Elf? Yes, Amazon now has latex elf ears, both in Blood Elf and Night Elf Style, for only $12.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how about then" to introduce a suggestion or inquire about a preference after a condition or situation has been established. It works best when there's a preceding context that sets the stage for the question.

Common error

Avoid using "how about then" as an opening line in a conversation or proposal. The phrase relies on a preceding context to make sense; otherwise, it can sound abrupt or confusing. Ensure a clear context is set before posing the question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about then" functions as an adverbial phrase used to introduce a suggestion or inquiry based on a preceding condition or statement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness in written English and its typical use as a response or suggestion to a question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"How about then" is an adverbial phrase used to introduce a suggestion or inquiry based on a preceding condition, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and functions to transition a conversation or thought process to a proposal, being generally neutral in register. Predominantly found in news and media, it requires a clear, pre-established context to be effectively used. When employing this phrase, ensure there's a prior condition or situation to which the suggestion logically relates. While grammatically sound, consider using alternative phrasing for utmost clarity and formality, if the situation requires it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what about then

Replaces "how" with "what", slightly altering the emphasis from method to subject.

what do you say then

Expands the phrase to a more direct question, seeking agreement or opinion.

how does that sound then

Focuses on the acceptability or desirability of a proposed idea.

what's your take then

Directly asks for an opinion after a condition has been established.

so what happens then

Shifts the focus to the consequences or outcomes following a specific event or condition.

and then what

Simplifies the query to a basic question about the subsequent steps or events.

if so, then what

Introduces a conditional element, asking about the implications of a specific condition being true.

considering that, what then

Emphasizes the consideration of a preceding statement before posing the question.

in that case, what's next

Frames the question within a specific scenario or situation.

given this, what follows

Presents the question as a logical progression from an established fact.

FAQs

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

Use "how about then" to propose an idea or ask for a preference following a condition or statement. For example, "If the weather is good, "how about then" we go for a hike?"

What is a similar phrase to "how about then"?

A similar phrase is "what do you say then", which also invites a response or suggestion based on a preceding context.

Is "how about then" formal or informal?

"How about then" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, it might be better to use a more elaborate phrase.

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

It's appropriate to use "how about then" when you want to make a suggestion or ask for an opinion, given a specific condition or circumstance that has already been mentioned. It implies a logical next step or consideration.