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Is it polite to use "how about..." in formal message or it will suit for close relations only?

What should I use instead for stranger or boss?

UPD: Example: You have just provided me with your phone number. How about e-mail address?

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Please provide the complete sentence in which you are considering usage of how about so that we can provide the best possible answer. – cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 Apr 23 '12 at 19:59
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I concur w/ cornbread ninja. The phrase "how about," in and of itself, could be used in both formal and informal contexts. No way to tell if "how about" would be appropriate from the meager amount of information given. – J.R. Apr 23 '12 at 20:47
'formal' and 'for close relations' only doesn't cover all the range of formality. – Mitch Apr 23 '12 at 22:23

4 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

I think "How about" is very informal; it results in a sentence fragment. A formal rephrase of "How about we go to the meeting?" is "Why don't we go to the meeting?" Since we don't yet have an example sentence from the questioner, another test would be "How about lunch?" which would be more formally phrased as "Why don't we go to lunch?" Or, if the interrogative is not necessary, the declarative "We should go to the meeting!" and "Let's go to lunch!" are also good formal alternatives.

(You'll note that I am using contractions in my "formal" examples; that's because I think my example phrases are professional, and saying "Why do not we go to the meeting?" is just awkward.)

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The "formal" phrasing would be Shall we go to lunch?. "Why don't we go to lunch?" borders on imperative, and may raise issues of social seniority. "Let's go to lunch!" is normally informal and suitable among equals - again it would be problematic if said by anyone other than the acknowledged senior person, in a formal context. – FumbleFingers Apr 23 '12 at 23:38
I agree with all of that. – Jennifer Davis Apr 23 '12 at 23:39
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I didn't upvote originally because I thought Shall we was the more formal phrasing, but it occurs to me now that all these "suggestions" are problematic in a formal context, since so much depends on whether the speaker has any social seniority (or even equality). If he doesn't, he'd probably be better off saying nothing and going hungry until the more important people decide they want to eat / go to the meeting / whatever. – FumbleFingers Apr 23 '12 at 23:49
"Going hungry"...so extreme! (And very funny.) – Jennifer Davis Apr 25 '12 at 3:01
up vote 2 down vote

Not disagreeing with others, but "How about ..." is rather a pushy phrase. Would I use it to my boss? yes, because I address him informally. A customer? Probably not.

"How about an email address?" feels like I am demanding an email address. "Do you have an email?" would be more polite - even though you know the answer is almost certainly "yes" it is a more respectful way of asking.

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up vote -1 down vote

I am an Indian, I learnt English as my second language. I feel that 'how about', 'what about', and even 'let's' can be used in informal conversation. "Shall we go to lunch?" is perfect. I am very happy that we need not say "Could we go to lunch?"

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Welcome to English Language & Usage. All answers should come with explanations for why they are correct, citing research sources wherever possible. Please edit the answer accordingly. Thanks. – MετάEd Mar 25 at 23:41
up vote -2 down vote

How about is used to make a suggestion or offer (how about a drink?), and when asking for information or an opinion on something (how about your company?).

"What about ...?" is a little bit more formal than "how about ...?"

Generally speaking(1), if I were talking to a stranger or a boss I would ask "what about ...?" When talking to family or friends I would use either "how about ...?" or "what about ...?"

However, in relative terms, both "how about ..." and "what about..." are very informal. So, you shoudn't use them talking to a boss or a stranger, but use sentences as Jennifer's answer explains.

(1) It would need more context to precisely answer.

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Regarding formality of the two terms, my thought is that you have them backwards, because "how about" is completely informal. See eg How 'bout dem apples? in wikipedia and How 'Bout Them Dodgers? in urbandictionary. – jwpat7 Apr 23 '12 at 20:51
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-1 The distinction between How/What about... in terms of formality is spurious. They're both informal. – FumbleFingers Apr 23 '12 at 23:30
@FumbleFingers - see now – Carlo_R. Apr 23 '12 at 23:36
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@Carlo_R.: I disagree with your assertion that there is any difference in formality between How about... and What about..., which is still present. As you are not a native speaker of English, I think you should be more careful when you offer such opinions. – FumbleFingers Apr 23 '12 at 23:43

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