Cool MateWhat about vs What if we did
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What about
Top 2,000 (common)
What if we did
Top 2,000 (common)
| What about | What if we did | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt əˈbaʊt//🇺🇸 //wɑt əˈbaʊt// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ɪf wi dɪd//🇺🇸 //wɑt ɪf wi dɪd// |
| Meaning | A way to ask for someone's opinion on a subject. | A phrase used to suggest a possibility or idea. |
| Example | What about going to the beach this Saturday? | What if we did a road trip across the country this summer? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | What about that, What about this, What about me | what if we tried, what if we changed, what if we went, what if we wanted, what if we said |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'What about that?' - often used differently in context., Not using it to introduce new topics when needed., Overusing in formal discussions where direct questions are preferred. | Using 'what if' without a proper context or follow-up., 'What if we did' can be confused with 'what if we do'., Overusing the phrase in formal settings where suggestions are unwelcome. |
| Usage notes | Used in conversation to introduce a new topic or ask for opinions. Appropriate in most informal and neutral contexts. | Use this phrase to propose hypothetical situations. It’s appropriate for discussions, brainstorming, and casual conversations. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: What about vs What if we did
What's the difference between What about and What if we did?
What about: A way to ask for someone's opinion on a subject. What if we did: A phrase used to suggest a possibility or idea.
Can you show an example of each?
What about: What about going to the beach this Saturday? What if we did: What if we did a road trip across the country this summer?
Can I use What about and What if we did interchangeably?
Not always. What about and What if we did are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.