What About in English: Using It Right

In everyday English conversations, knowing how to use common phrases correctly can make a significant difference in your communication effectiveness. The phraseWhat about in English is one such expression that appears frequently in both casual and professional settings. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding theWhat about meaning and using What about in English correctly in various contexts, from suggesting alternatives and raising new points in discussions to asking for someone else's input. You'll learn the different functions of this versatile phrase, its grammatical structure, how it compares to similar expressions, and practice with exercises that will help you master usingWhat about in English naturally in your conversations.

I. What about in English: Key Meanings & Uses

Let's see what What about in English means and how to use it effectively. What about meaning encompasses three main purposes in English conversation, which we'll explore in detail below.

1. Suggesting Ideas

One of the most common uses ofWhat about in English is to propose ideas or alternatives during a conversation. This function is particularly useful when brainstorming options or offering solutions to problems.

When suggesting ideas with What about in English, you can follow two main structures:

• "What about + noun/noun phrase?"

• "What about + -ing verb form (gerund)?"

Here are some practical examples that demonstrate both structures:

• "I can't decide where to go for dinner tonight." "What about that new Italian restaurant downtown?"

• "We need to find someone to lead the project." "What about Sarah? She has relevant experience."

• "I'm looking for ways to improve my English." "What about watching movies with English subtitles?"

The beauty of usingWhat about in English for suggestions is that it sounds less direct than commands while still clearly communicating your idea. It invites the other person to consider your proposal without forcing it upon them.

2. New Points & Concerns

Another important function of What about in English is to introduce new topics, considerations, or concerns that haven't been addressed yet. Understanding this aspect of What about meaning is especially valuable when you notice something important has been overlooked in a discussion or plan.

When usingWhat about in English to raise new points, you're essentially saying, "Have you considered this aspect?" or "This matter needs attention too." For example:

• "We've discussed the budget and timeline for the project." "What about the marketing strategy? We haven't talked about that yet."

• "The hotel reservation is confirmed, and we've booked flights." "What about transportation from the airport to the hotel?"

• "Your business plan looks solid in terms of financing." "What about potential competitors? How will you differentiate your product?"

Using What about in English in this way helps ensure comprehensive discussion and planning by bringing attention to aspects that might otherwise be forgotten or overlooked.

3. Asking "And You?" / Updates

The third main use of What about in English serves a social function—asking reciprocal questions or requesting updates about someone's situation, opinion, or progress.

This aspect of What about meaning often follows after you've shared something about yourself or after someone has asked about your status. It's a natural way to show interest in the other person and maintain a balanced conversation. For example:

• "I'm really enjoying my new job. What about you? How's your work going?"

• "I prefer action movies. What about you? What type of films do you like?"

• "I've finished my part of the project. What about the research section? Is it ready yet?"

In these examples, What about in English functions almost like saying "and you?" or "how about that other thing we discussed?" It keeps conversation flowing naturally and shows engagement with the other person or topic.

II. What about in English: Structure & Comparisons

Now, let's look at the structure of What about in English and how it differs from similar phrases that might seem interchangeable but actually have subtle differences.

1. Basic Structure

The pattern for using What about in English is straightforward: What + about + .

• With a noun: "What about dinner?" 

• With a noun phrase: "What about that new coffee shop on Main Street?" 

• With a pronoun: "What about them?" 

• With a gerund (-ing form): "What about trying again tomorrow?"

Understanding this simple pattern makes it easy to construct questions usingWhat about in English correctly. The flexibility of what can follow What about in English contributes to its versatility in everyday communication.

2. "What About" vs. "How About" vs. "What If"

These three phrases—"what about" in English, "how about," and "what if"—often cause confusion because they can sometimes be used in similar situations. However, each has distinct functions and connotations that are important to understand.

The key distinction is that What about meaning in English often involves raising a consideration or point for discussion, "how about" typically offers a friendly suggestion, and "what if" explores hypothetical scenarios or possible outcomes. While there is some overlap in usage, being aware of these subtle differences will help you choose the most appropriate phrase for your intended meaning.

III. Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

Let's test your understanding of how to useWhat about in English correctly, focusing on the different forms that can follow it. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate noun, noun phrase, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form) to complete these sentences.

1. "I can't decide where to eat tonight." "What about __________ (try/trying) that new restaurant downtown?"
   
   

2. "We need someone to lead the presentation." "What about __________ (John/John's) expertise in this area?"
   
   

3. "I don't know how to improve my English vocabulary." "What about __________ (read/reading) books in English for 15 minutes each day?"
   
   

4. "We've discussed the budget for marketing." "What about __________ (production/the production) costs? Have we allocated enough?"
   
   

5. "I'm enjoying my new job so far." "What about __________ (you/your) new position? How is it going?"
   
   

6. "We can't meet on Monday morning." "What about __________ (Tuesday/on Tuesday) afternoon instead?"
   
   

7. "The flight tickets are quite expensive." "What about __________ (take/taking) the train? It might be cheaper."
   
   

8. "I'm not sure which topic to choose for my presentation." "What about __________ (environment/the environment)? That's an important issue."
   
   

Answers:

1. trying (gerund form)

2. John's (noun possession)

3. reading (gerund form)

4. the production (noun phrase with article)

5. your (possessive pronoun)

6. Tuesday (noun)

7. taking (gerund form)

8. the environment (noun phrase with article)

This exercise helps you practice the correct forms that follow What about in English in different contexts. Remember that after What about in English, you can use:

• Nouns or noun phrases ("What about dinner?")

• Pronouns ("What about them?")

• Gerunds (-ing forms) ("What about trying again?")

Try creating your own examples to further strengthen your understanding of What about meaning and usage!

Throughout this guide, we've explored the versatile phraseWhat about in English and its three main functions: making suggestions, introducing new points or concerns, and asking reciprocal questions. We've examined What about meaning, its simple structure, and compared it with similar phrases like "how about" and "what if." By practicing with the exercises above and incorporating What about in English into your everyday conversations, you'll master this useful expression and communicate more naturally and effectively. So, what about putting your new knowledge into practice today?