how about we do this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'how about we do this' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting an idea or plan that you would like to take forward. For example: "We need to find a way to improve our efficiency. How about we do this by introducing new software?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"How about we do this together?

Independent

"How about we do this," he said.

The New York Times

"How about we do this with CNN?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He was the kind of kid who was always saying: 'Well, how about if we do this?

The New York Times

We can't be squeamish about having a comprehensive discussion about how we do this – getting it right is too important.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you're curious about how we do this, check out our open source citation extraction engine – and feel free to help make it better!

Cornell University

"The best thing that could possibly come out of Sandy is if the political establishment was willing to say, 'Let's have a conversation about how we do this differently the next time,' " said Dr. Young, a coastal geologist who directs the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University.

The New York Times - Science

"One thing you should appreciate about how we do this - we don't move directly towards the comet," explained Morley.

BBC

Referring to pipeline construction, Gaulin said he wants Canada to "move to a conversation about how we do this well, not whether or not we should do this".

Vice

"Yes, young people should lead, but we should be thinking about how we do this inter-generationally, where we're looking at the strategies that have worked for more seasoned organizers," she said.

Huffington Post

Clinicians who are well positioned to study these issues are increasingly directed toward enhancing productivity — questions about how can we do this better, faster or more consistently — instead of questions about whether the practices are warranted in the first place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how about we do this", follow up with a clear explanation of what "this" refers to. Providing context ensures your suggestion is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "how about we do this" without specifying what "this" entails. Unclear references can lead to confusion and make your suggestion ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about we do this" functions as a suggestion or proposal. It's used to introduce an idea for consideration, inviting the listener or reader to contemplate a specific action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how about we do this" is a grammatically sound and usable way to offer a suggestion or propose a plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively infrequent, it's most commonly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. To ensure clarity, always clearly define what "this" refers to. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "shall we proceed in this manner?"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let's consider this course of action

Advocates for deliberate thought about a particular path.

why don't we try this approach

Suggests exploring an alternative method, implying a problem to solve.

perhaps we could handle it like this

Offers a less assertive recommendation, indicating flexibility.

what if we give this a shot

Presents a tentative suggestion, focusing on experimentation.

suppose we went about it this way

Proposes a hypothetical scenario for exploring a method.

shall we proceed in this manner

Formal rephrasing, indicating a suggested course of action for mutual consideration.

would you be open to this option

Checks receptiveness towards a proposed alternative.

how would you feel about this approach

Inquires on the others' feelings about the approach.

what's your take on trying this

Seeks feedback on the possibility of trying something new.

what are your thoughts on this idea

Directly seeks opinions about a specific proposal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "how about we do this" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "shall we proceed in this manner" or "let's consider this course of action".

Is "how about we do this" appropriate for business communication?

While grammatically correct, "how about we do this" might be perceived as too casual for certain business contexts. Assess your audience and consider alternatives if a more formal tone is required.

What's a more collaborative alternative to "how about we do this"?

To foster collaboration, try phrases like "what are your thoughts on this idea" or "would you be open to this option", which invite feedback and shared decision-making.

When is it best to use "how about we do this"?

This phrase is most effective when suggesting a clear, actionable plan in a setting where a moderately informal tone is acceptable.