Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[TALA]

Hi teachers,

Why sometimes do native speakers say "how about that" at the end of the sentence?
Can you show or give some examples to use that expression?

Thank you

[YuKiML]

Well, I am not a teacher, but I think I can help a little.

"How about that" is generally used when want to ask the listener's opinion.

For example:
Me: I want to make a mini airplane that can fly and let the ants ride on it.
You: That is quite pointless.
Me: Well, then, I will make a mini airplane that my dogs can ride on, so he doesn't have to run. How about that (then)?

Reason I have then in the ( ) because I feel that makes the sentence a bit more smooth.

Normally I will use "How about it" rather than "How about that" but it is basically the same thing.

In that example, it is like ask "You" what he/she thinks about the 2nd idea.

This is what I think, though I could be wrong.

[CP]

It's a way to ask the other person what he or she thinks about an idea or a proposal or some bit of news. Usually you can substitute, "What do you think of that?"

"Hey, a new Thai restaurant just opened next to the movie theater. We could go try their food and then see 'Disturbia.' How about that?"

"How about we go to Las Vegas next weekend? I'm dying to lose all my money on games of chance."

"Hm. It says here Madonna wants to marry Kevin Federline. How about that?"
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[TALA]

Thank you very much teachers!