what about having

USAGE SUMMARY

"what about having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing an idea or suggesting an alternative option. For example, "What about having a picnic in the park this weekend?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

What about having herself treated?

The New Yorker

What about having both?

The Guardian

What about having a blonde and a brunette?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What about having more husbands step up and take the major load?

The New York Times

And what about having families and parents slotted into our parliamentary scrutiny.

The Guardian

"Or what about having someone of Roger's ability pitching to them?" McLane added.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

All stakeholder groups participating in qualitative interviews were asked for advice and suggestions; these were discussed in subsequent interviews: INT What about 'a talking therapy to increase confidence'?

BMC Health Services Research

"But what about what has happened since the 25th?" the soldier wanted to know.

The New Yorker

What about it hasn't been answered?

Los Angeles Times

What about aging has surprised you?

Huffington Post

What is your opinion about having a course entrance examination?

Anatomical Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what about having" to introduce suggestions or alternatives in a discussion or brainstorming session. This phrasing is especially useful when you want to explore different options without sounding overly assertive.

Common error

While versatile, relying too heavily on "what about having" in formal reports or academic papers can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for more direct and assertive phrasing when presenting key recommendations or conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what about having" serves as an interrogative phrase used to introduce a suggestion, proposal, or alternative. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's a grammatically correct way to start a question intended as a suggestion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what about having" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for introducing suggestions or alternative options. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and applicable in various settings, from news articles to casual conversations. While overwhelmingly common in "News & Media", the phrase also appears in "Science" and "Academic" texts. When writing, remember that although it's generally safe for most situations, more direct language might be appropriate in extremely formal contexts. Consider alternative phrasing like "how about having" or "have you considered having", depending on your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how about having

Replaces "what" with "how", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the same suggestive function.

have you considered having

Presents the suggestion as something potentially already thought about, softening the approach.

what if we had

Shifts from a general suggestion to a hypothetical scenario.

why not have

Offers a more direct and potentially persuasive alternative.

would it be possible to have

Presents the suggestion as a question of possibility or feasibility.

let's consider having

Proposes a group consideration of the suggested action.

how would you feel about having

Directly asks for an opinion on the suggestion.

what are your thoughts on having

Solicits a more detailed response regarding the suggestion.

is it worth considering having

Introduces an element of cost-benefit analysis to the suggestion.

perhaps we could have

Offers a more tentative and polite suggestion.

FAQs

How can I use "what about having" in a sentence?

"What about having" is used to introduce a suggestion or alternative. For example, "What about having a team meeting to discuss the project's progress?"

What phrases are similar to "what about having"?

You can use similar phrases like "how about having", "why not have", or "have you considered having", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "what about having"?

It's appropriate in informal discussions, brainstorming sessions, or when you want to introduce a suggestion without being too direct or forceful. However, in formal writing, consider using more direct language.

Is "what about having" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what about having" is grammatically correct. It is a common and accepted way to introduce a suggestion or alternative option in English.