how about +verb

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ostap77

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"How about we go skiing?" Can "How about" be proceeded with a verb ?
 
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bhaisahab

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ostap77

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Follow up with a verb? To proceed with a verb?

Here's what heard on "Hawaii Five-0"

"How about you open it or I'll come over and break your face." Is it grammatically correct?
 
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5jj

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"How about you open it or I'll come over and [STRIKE]brake[/STRIKE] break your face." Is it grammatically correct?
It's very informal.
 

ostap77

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It's very informal.


It's like I can use it in conversation but wouldn't want to write on the test, I mean "How about we/I......"? Grammatically it takes the gerund?
 

5jj

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It's like I can use it in conversation but wouldn't want to write on the test, I mean "How about we/I......"? Grammatically it takes the gerund?
Not usually.

How about going to the theatre? = I suggest that you (or we - context will make this clear) go to the theatre.
How about you/us going to the theatre.
This is possible.
How about you shut up? I suggest (fairly forcefully) that you shut up.
 

ostap77

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Not usually.

How about going to the theatre? = I suggest that you (or we - context will make this clear) go to the theatre.
How about you/us going to the theatre.
This is possible.
How about you shut up? I suggest (fairly forcefully) that you shut up.

Which of these "howabouts" is less formal?
 

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Which of these "howabouts" is less formal?

It is not just about being formal or informal. The third sentence has a different meaning. I don't consider it a suggestion, but a threat.
 

ostap77

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It is not just about being formal or informal. The third sentence has a different meaning. I don't consider it a suggestion, but a threat.

How about we go to the movies?
 

5jj

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