how about we try

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how about we try" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest an idea or proposal in a conversational or informal context. Example: "How about we try a new restaurant for dinner this weekend?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Avery:........ Me: Okaaayyyy, how about we try walking?

Huffington Post

Well, how about we try something equally as weird: Jesse Eisenberg.

Huffington Post

"How about we try it again?" As for prices and atmosphere, the model the partners had in mind were chains like Bennigan's and Ruby Tuesday.

The New York Times

"How about we try making the poor less poor?" seems woolly and distant against the immediacy of "let's tear up this failing system, starting today".

The Guardian - Opinion

So, on that fateful night, I turned to Kerry with a proposition: "How about we try and get away from it all for a year?

The Guardian - Travel

A little later, Marvin saw me ogling him – he was such a good-looking man – and said: "How about we try this song on Martha?" The song was Dancing in the Street and it became the Motown anthem.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Or how about "We are trying to cut taxes for the hardest working Americas out there.

Huffington Post

He contributed really unobtrusively, kind of a low-key, "Well, how about if we try this?" He helped with song structures--little tweaks to the form and so on.

Huffington Post

Those things then get used in a gig and then maybe on the gig, you start to say, "There are some other ways we could do this, how about if we try it this way?" It's an ongoing thing and, in fact, we're still tweaking and changing the music.

Huffington Post

As in, "How about we… try to walk-in to LudoBites 8.0 and eat the entire menu" or "Meet for an 'expertly poured' drink, maybe Thirsty Crow…or somewhere more dark n' dessicated…for insights, light interrogation, laffs…" Or this, from an old-fashioned flirt: "How about we… find out if you know how to cook…" Like funny men, skilled diners are apparently perceived to have an evolutionary advantage.

The New Yorker

How about we all try to remember to bathe before sealing ourselves inside a metal tube and hurtling through the skies from now on, OK? Air travel is bad enough as it is.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how about we try" to introduce a suggestion or alternative, especially when the initial approach isn't working. It implies a collaborative spirit and willingness to experiment.

Common error

Avoid using "how about we try" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more direct and professional suggestions such as "we should consider" or "it is recommended that we attempt" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how about we try" functions as a suggestion or proposal. It introduces an idea for consideration and action, inviting collaboration. As shown by Ludwig, this is a common way to open up potential avenues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how about we try" is a grammatically correct and commonly used suggestion, as validated by Ludwig. It's suitable for informal conversations and collaborative settings. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in strictly formal or scientific contexts. Consider alternatives like "let's give it a shot" or "perhaps we could explore" for different shades of meaning. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, reflecting its use in proposing solutions and alternatives. All of these conclusions are also inline with Ludwig's AI analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

why don't we attempt

Replaces "how about" with a more direct question, implying a suggestion.

let's give it a shot

Expresses the idea of trying something in a more informal and enthusiastic way.

what if we experimented with

Suggests a more exploratory and less certain approach to trying something.

perhaps we could explore

Introduces a more tentative suggestion for trying something new.

shall we venture into

Implies a more adventurous or risky attempt at something.

would you consider attempting

Poses the suggestion as a question, seeking consideration from others.

how would you feel about testing

Seeks feedback on the idea of trying, emphasizing the testing aspect.

what are your thoughts on assessing

Shifts the focus to assessing a possibility, rather than direct action.

let's see if we can test

Suggests testing something as a means to evaluate its potential.

why not evaluate

Poses a question as a suggestion, focusing on evaluation instead of outright trying.

FAQs

What does "how about we try" mean?

The phrase "how about we try" is a suggestion to attempt or test something together. It's a collaborative way to propose an action or explore a new approach.

When is it appropriate to use "how about we try"?

It is suitable for informal conversations, team meetings, or situations where a collaborative solution is needed. It's less appropriate in very formal or hierarchical settings.

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

You can use alternatives like "why don't we attempt", "let's give it a shot", or "perhaps we could explore" depending on the context.

Is "how about we try" grammatically correct?

Yes, "how about we try" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in spoken and written English, as confirmed by Ludwig.