how about this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how about this" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to suggest or introduce an idea or an alternative solution. For example: "We've been struggling to agree on a solution - how about this one?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

O.K., how about this?

The New Yorker

Or how about this?

The New Yorker

O.K., then, how about this?

The New York Times

So, how about this?

The Guardian - Opinion

Donna, how about this?

The New York Times

I said, 'All right, how about this?

The New Yorker

They would say, How about this?

The New York Times

"How about this as a goal?

The New Yorker

How about this as an alternative?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

How about like this?

The Guardian - Sport

Joseph Pell Lombardi, how about tackling this one?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scenarios requiring collaboration, utilize "how about this" to promote engagement and creativity. For instance, in a team brainstorming meeting, presenting diverse suggestions will encourage shared innovation.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "how about this" in formal writing. Vary your sentence structure to maintain a professional and engaging tone. Employ alternatives like "another possibility is" or "an alternative approach could be" to provide diverse and refined options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about this" functions as an interrogative expression used to introduce a suggestion, proposal, or alternative idea. This is confirmed by Ludwig and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how about this" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to introduce suggestions or alternative ideas in English. According to Ludwig, it is used to present an idea or alternative solution. It's commonly found in news and media, academic contexts, and informal conversations. While widely accepted, it's best to use it sparingly in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Consider alternatives like "what about this" or "consider this" for more formal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what do you think of this

Focuses more directly on seeking the listener's opinion about the suggestion.

how does this sound

Asks for an evaluation of the proposed idea's merit or feasibility.

what about this option

Specifies that the suggestion is one of several possible options.

consider this proposal

Encourages a more formal or thoughtful evaluation of the presented idea.

here's another idea

Implies that previous ideas have already been discussed or presented.

have you thought about this

Suggests the listener may not have previously considered the presented idea.

let's try this approach

Indicates a shift to a new method or strategy.

what if we did this

Poses the suggestion as a hypothetical scenario to explore.

try this for size

Presents the idea in a playful or informal manner, inviting consideration.

this might work

Expresses a degree of uncertainty or optimism about the proposed idea.

FAQs

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

Use "how about this" to introduce a suggestion or alternative. For example, "We could go to the park, or "how about this": we visit the museum?"

What are some alternatives to "how about this"?

Alternatives include "what about this", "what do you think of this", or "consider this", depending on the context.

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

"How about this" is suitable for informal conversations, brainstorming sessions, or when quickly proposing an idea. In formal settings, more elaborate phrases may be more appropriate.

Is "how about this" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how about this" is grammatically correct. It functions as an interrogative phrase introducing a suggestion.