How about or what about

Question

How about this Easter or What about this Easter? do they mean do you have any plans for this Easter?

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

Hello Maj

1. Friends on the phone, in November. They don't see each other often:

'So, shall I see you at Christmas?'
'Sorry, no. Too busy.'
'How about Easter?'

2. A year later:

'So, you stood me up last Easter again.'
'I know, I'm sorry.'
'Well, what about this Easter?'

3. Another year later. I'm sorry to say #2 didn't turn up again:
'Oh, so it's you.'
'Yes...sorry about last Easter. But what about this Easter?
'What about this Easter.' {slams down phone}

4. A different scenario. Two friends, discussing plans:
'So, any plans for Christmas?'
'Oh, you know...visiting relatives...the usual.'
'And what about Easter?'

So in examples 1 to 3, 'How/What about Easter' is a suggestion. In #4, it's as you say: 'do you have plans?'.

I hope your friends are more reliable than the ones in ##1-3...

MrP

Maj · Answer

Thanks so much for clarifying it.

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