How About You vs. What About You — What's the Difference?
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By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 4, 2023
“How about you?” typically seeks someone’s opinion, preference, or choice on a matter, while “What about you?” generally inquires about someone’s situation, condition, or experience, although they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation.
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Difference Between How About You and What About You
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The nuanced difference in use between “How about you” and “What about you” does not typically hinder communication, as the intention behind both is usually to extend the conversation to include the other person’s input or experiences. While “How about you” leans more towards seeking subjective opinions or preferences, and “What about you” leans more towards seeking objective information or experiences, the interpretative flexibility of these phrases allows them to be functional in a variety of conversational contexts.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Even though these distinctions exist, in colloquial English, these phrases are often used interchangeably due to their close contextual meanings. The conversational context and the preceding dialogue usually shape the intended meaning of both “How about you” and “What about you”. They both serve as conversational tools to involve the other person in the discussion, reflecting social etiquette by showing interest in the other person’s thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
“How about you” and “What about you” are English phrases often used interchangeably, but they tend to have slight differences in their applications. “How about you” typically seeks to understand another person’s choice, preference, or opinion in a given context, highlighting the person’s subjective inclination or viewpoint. It often invites a response that reflects one’s preference or opinion. In contrast, “What about you” is more about inquiring into someone’s situation, condition, or experiences, possibly seeking information or details about the other person’s circumstances or feelings, and it invites a response that conveys specific information or experiences.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
In everyday conversation, “How about you” can imply a request for the other person’s stance or perspective on a discussed topic, reflecting their feelings or judgments. For instance, in discussing movie preferences, it asks for the other person’s favorite. Conversely, “What about you” delves into understanding the experiences or states the other person has had, possibly in relation to a shared topic, asking for more factual or experiential responses. It could ask for experiences the other person had with the movies discussed.
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Oct 04, 2023
Comparison Chart
Typical Use
Seeks opinion, preference, or choice
Inquires about situation, condition, or experience
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Oct 04, 2023
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Response Type
Subjective, based on preference or opinion
Objective, based on specific information or experiences
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Contextual Implication
Implies a request for the other person’s stance
Delves into understanding experiences or states
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Oct 04, 2023
Interchangeability
Often used interchangeably with "What about you"
Often used interchangeably with "How about you"
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Function in Conversation
Extends conversation to include other’s viewpoint
Extends conversation to include other’s experiences
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Oct 04, 2023
Definitions
How About You
"How about you" is often used to extend the conversation to the other person's thoughts or feelings.
I feel optimistic about the future, how about you?
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What About You
"What about you" serves to involve the other person in the conversation by seeking their input.
I think the movie was fantastic, what about you?
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How About You
"How about you" seeks to understand the other person's choice in a given context.
I would choose tea over coffee any day, how about you?
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What About You
"What about you" is typically used interchangeably with "How about you" in everyday conversation.
I’m planning to cook dinner tonight, what about you?
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How About You
"How about you" invites a response reflecting one's inclination or viewpoint.
I’m planning to read a book this weekend, how about you?
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Sep 26, 2023
What About You
"What about you" seeks to gain information about the other person's experiences or circumstances.
I’ve visited Paris twice, what about you?
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Sep 26, 2023
How About You
"How about you" is used to inquire about someone's preference or opinion.
I like hiking in the mountains, how about you?
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What About You
"What about you" is generally used to inquire about someone's situation or condition.
I had a hectic day at work, what about you?
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Sep 26, 2023
How About You
"How about you" is generally used interchangeably with "What about you" in casual conversation.
I’m feeling quite tired, how about you?
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Sep 26, 2023
What About You
"What about you" invites a response that conveys specific information or experiences.
I have finished my assignments, what about you?
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Sep 26, 2023
FAQs
Which phrase is used to inquire about specific experiences or states?
"What about you" is used to inquire about specific experiences or states.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
What does "How about you" typically seek?
"How about you" typically seeks someone’s opinion, preference, or choice on a matter.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Which phrase is more subjective in response, "How about you" or "What about you"?
"How about you" typically invites more subjective responses based on preference or opinion.
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Oct 04, 2023
Is "How about you" used to extend conversations?
Yes, "How about you" is used to extend conversations to include the other person’s thoughts or feelings.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is "What about you" aimed at understanding the other person’s experiences?
Yes, "What about you" aims at understanding the other person’s experiences or conditions.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
What does "What about you" generally inquire about?
"What about you" generally inquires about someone’s situation, condition, or experience.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can "How about you" and "What about you" be used interchangeably?
Yes, they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation due to their close contextual meanings.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is the use of "How about you" and "What about you" restricted to certain contexts?
While they have nuanced differences, their use is not strictly restricted, and conversational context usually shapes their intended meaning.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Does "What about you" delve more into factual or experiential responses?
Yes, "What about you" usually delves more into factual or experiential responses.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is "How about you" more about the other person’s stance or perspective?
Yes, "How about you" is more about understanding the other person’s stance or perspective on a discussed topic.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can "What about you" ask for more objective information or experiences?
Yes, "What about you" typically asks for more objective and specific information or experiences.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can "How about you" be used to ask about someone’s feelings or judgments?
Yes, "How about you" can be used to ask about someone’s feelings or judgments on a subject.
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Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Author Spotlight
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.