how about we

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how about we" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase usually used to suggest an idea or plan. For example: "How about we go out for dinner tonight?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"How about we do this together?

Independent

"How about we do this," he said.

The New York Times

"Like: 'How about we go sign Prince?

The New York Times - Sports

So how about we stop being stupid?

The New York Times

Tony, how about we see you forever?

The Guardian - Opinion

How about we work on the men?

The New Yorker

NO. 4: How about we signal?

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how about we" when you want to make a suggestion that includes yourself and others. It implies a collaborative approach and is suitable for informal and semi-formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "how about we" in highly formal contexts, such as academic papers or official reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "we propose" or "it is suggested that we".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about we" functions as an interrogative suggestion, prompting a shared activity or decision. This phrase invites collaboration and is commonly used to initiate plans or propose solutions as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how about we" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to make suggestions or propose joint actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most suitable for informal to neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it should be avoided in formal academic or business settings where more professional alternatives are preferred. Remember to consider your audience and the level of formality when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what if we

This alternative offers a slightly more exploratory tone.

let's

A shortened and more direct form of suggesting a joint action.

why don't we

This version poses the suggestion as a question, implying a search for a reason not to act.

shall we

This option uses a more formal and traditional way to suggest an action.

what do you say we

This phrasing directly involves the listener in the decision-making process.

would you like to

This alternative offers a more polite and tentative suggestion.

how does it sound if we

This option seeks feedback on the proposed action.

suppose we

This suggests considering a hypothetical action.

what are your thoughts on

This invites the listener to share their opinion on a potential action.

perhaps we could

This offers a more hesitant and less assertive suggestion.

FAQs

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

You can use "how about we" to make suggestions or propose ideas, for example, "How about we go for a walk?" or "How about we start the meeting now?"

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

You can use alternatives like "what if we", "shall we", or "why don't we" depending on the context.

Is "how about we" formal or informal?

"How about we" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations and friendly suggestions. For more formal settings, consider phrases like "we suggest" or "we propose".

What's the difference between "how about we" and "let's"?

"How about we" is a question that invites input, while "let's" is a more direct suggestion. For example, "How about we try this new restaurant?" implies a discussion, whereas "Let's try this new restaurant" is a more straightforward proposal.