How do you think and what do you think look very similar. Both phrases use the word think, and both can appear in questions.
That is why many English learners mix them up. You may even hear someone say, “How do you think about this?” when they really mean, “What do you think about this?”
The problem is not your English. The two questions have different grammar patterns and different meanings.
A small word like how or what can completely change the question.
This difference is important in daily English conversations. You use these phrases when asking about opinions, ideas, feelings, and the way something happens.
Students often see both forms in English lessons, social media, and real conversations.
The good news is that the difference is easy to understand. After reading this guide, you will know when to use “How do you think?”
and when to use “What do you think?” You will also learn why “What do you think about…?” is usually correct when you ask for someone’s opinion.
You will see simple grammar rules, real-life examples, common mistakes, and an easy memory trick.
By the end, you should feel much more confident using these questions in spoken and written English.
What Does “How Do You Think” Mean?
“How do you think” asks about the way, method, or process of thinking. It focuses on how something happens in your mind or the way a person forms an idea.
However, there is an important point to remember. “How do you think?” by itself is not usually the natural way to ask for an opinion. Native speakers normally use it when the question continues with another part.
For example:
- How do you think he solved the problem?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- How do you think we can fix this issue?
Here, how means “in what way” or “by what method.”
When Do We Use “How Do You Think”?
Use “how do you think” when you want to ask about a process, method, reason, or imagined situation.
The basic grammar pattern is:
How + do + subject + think + …?
The word how asks about the way something happens.
Examples of “How Do You Think”
- How do you think he learned English so quickly?
- How do you think we can solve this problem?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- How do you think they found the missing book?
- How do you think your parents will react?
- How do you think this machine works?
- How do you think he became so successful?
- How do you think we should start the project?
Look carefully at these sentences. The speaker is not simply asking, “What is your opinion?”
Instead, the speaker wants to know the way you imagine or understand something.
A Common Learner Confusion
Many learners think how = opinion because they hear phrases like “How do you think?” in English.
But how usually asks about a way or method.
Compare these two questions:
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- How do you think I can improve my idea? = Tell me the way or method.
The meaning changes because of the question word.
Also, “How do you think about this?” is usually incorrect if you want to ask for an opinion. The natural question is:
What do you think about this?
What Does “What Do You Think” Mean?
“What do you think” is used to ask for someone’s opinion, idea, or view.
This is the phrase you normally need when you want to know what is in a person’s mind as an opinion.
The basic grammar pattern is:
What + do + subject + think + …?
The word what asks for information, an idea, or an opinion.
When Do We Use “What Do You Think”?
Use “what do you think” when asking:
- Someone’s opinion
- Someone’s view
- Someone’s idea
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- Someone’s judgment about something
You can use it in daily conversations, school, work, and casual English.
Examples of “What Do You Think”
- What do you think about this movie?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- What do you think we should do?
- What do you think about the plan?
- What do you think he means?
- What do you think is the best answer?
- What do you think about moving to another city?
- What do you think she will say?
In each example, the speaker wants to know the listener’s thoughts or opinion.
“What Do You Think About?” and “What Do You Think Of?”
Both forms are very common:
- What do you think about this idea?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
They usually have the same meaning when you ask for an opinion.
For example:
What do you think about my new haircut?
What do you think of my new haircut?
Both questions ask for an opinion.
“What do you think?” is one of the most useful opinion questions in English. You can use it almost every day.
Difference Between “How Do You Think” and “What Do You Think” (Detailed)
The biggest difference is simple:
How Do You Think or What Do You Think
“How do you think?” asks about a way, method, or process.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Main Meaning | What It Asks |
|---|---|---|
| What do you think? | Opinion or idea | What is your opinion? |
| How do you think? | Way or process | In what way do you think it happens? |
Usage Difference
Imagine you show your friend a new website.
You ask:
What do you think of the website?
Your friend may answer:
How Do You Think or What Do You Think
You asked for an opinion.
Now imagine you are trying to understand how the website was created. You ask:
How do you think they made this website?
Your friend may answer:
I think they used special software.
How Do You Think or What Do You Think
This is the main difference.
Grammar Logic
The words what and how have different jobs.
What usually asks for a thing, idea, or information.
- What is your name?
- What do you want?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
How usually asks about a way, condition, or method.
- How did you do it?
- How Do You Think or What Do You Think
- How do you think he did it?
So, the grammar gives us a helpful clue:
WHAT = idea or opinion
How Do You Think or What Do You Think
Sentence Structure Difference
Both questions use do because think is a main verb in the simple present.
What Question
What + do + subject + think + …?
Example:
What do you think about the book?
How Question
How + do + subject + think + …?
Example:
How do you think he solved the problem?
The structure looks almost the same. The question word changes the meaning.
Meaning Comparison
Look at these pairs:
1. Opinion
How Do You Think or What Do You Think
Meaning: Do you like it? What is your opinion?
2. Method
How do you think Ali got the idea?
Meaning: What do you think was the way or process?
Another pair:
What do you think about the exam?
= Tell me your opinion of the exam.
How do you think you will pass the exam?
= Tell me the method or plan you think will help you pass.
One small word creates a big difference.
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
Rule #1: Use “What do you think?” for opinions
When you want to ask someone’s opinion, use what.
What do you think about my new idea?
The answer may be:
I think it is very useful.
Easy check: If you can replace the question with “What is your opinion?”, use what do you think.
Rule #2: Use “How do you think?” for a way or process
Use how when you want to ask how something happened or can happen.
How do you think she learned so fast?
The answer may be:
Maybe she practiced every day.
The question is about the way or reason.
Rule #3: “What do you think about/of…?” is the natural opinion pattern
When asking about a thing, person, or idea, use:
What do you think about + noun?
or
What do you think of + noun?
Examples:
What do you think about this song?
What do you think of my plan?
Both are natural.
Rule #4: Do not use “how” just because you are asking for an opinion
This is a very common mistake.
❌ How do you think about this plan?
✅ What do you think about this plan?
The phrase “how do you think about” does not normally express an opinion in standard English.
Remember the meaning first. Do not choose how simply because the question sounds similar.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Many students make these mistakes because “how” and “what” can both begin questions. The sentence structure also looks almost identical.
Mistake 1: “How do you think about this?”
❌ How do you think about this movie?
If you want an opinion, this sentence is not natural.
✅ What do you think about this movie?
Mistake 2: Using “what” for a method
❌ What do you think he fixed the computer?
This sentence is wrong because the speaker wants to ask about the way.
✅ How do you think he fixed the computer?
Mistake 3: Thinking “how do you think?” always asks about thinking
Some learners believe “how do you think?” means “What is your opinion?”
That is usually not true.
If you want an opinion, say:
What do you think?
For example:
What do you think about my answer?
Mistake 4: Forgetting “about” or “of”
Learners sometimes say:
❌ What do you think this idea?
The natural forms are:
✅ What do you think about this idea?
✅ What do you think of this idea?
Easy Correction Tip
Before speaking, ask yourself one quick question:
“Do I want their opinion, or do I want to know the way something happened?”
- Opinion? → What do you think?
- Way or method? → How do you think?
This simple question can prevent most mistakes.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is a very easy memory trick:
WHAT asks “What is your idea?”
HOW asks “In what way?”
Think about a teacher in a classroom.
The teacher shows you a picture and asks:
What do you think?
You answer:
I think it is beautiful.
The teacher asks:
How do you think the artist made it?
You answer:
Maybe the artist used a computer.
WHAT = your thought
HOW = the way you imagine something happened
You can also remember it with this short line:
What = opinion. How = method.
This is not a perfect rule for every use of what and how in English, but it is very useful for this confusing pair.
Daily Life Examples
Here are some natural examples you may hear in real conversations.
1. Talking about a new restaurant
A: I went to the new restaurant yesterday.
B: Really? What do you think of it?
A: I loved the food!
Here, what asks for an opinion.
2. Talking about a difficult question
A: This math problem is very hard.
B: How do you think we can solve it?
A: Maybe we should ask the teacher.
Here, how asks about a possible method.
3. Asking about a new phone
A: I bought a new phone.
B: What do you think about it?
A: It works really well.
4. Understanding someone’s success
A: Ahmed is very good at English.
B: How do you think he improved so quickly?
A: He probably practices every day.
5. Asking about a plan
A: I want to start a small business.
B: What do you think about my idea?
A: I think it is great.
6. Asking about a solution
A: We have a problem with the computer.
B: How do you think we can fix it?
A: Let’s check the settings first.
7. Talking about a movie
A: Did you watch the new movie?
B: Yes.
A: What do you think?
B: It was really exciting.
8. Talking about someone’s reaction
A: I told my brother the news.
B: How do you think he feels about it?
A: I think he is happy.
9. Asking for an opinion at school
Teacher: What do you think about this answer?
Student: I think it is correct.
10. Thinking about the future
A: We need to finish this project soon.
B: How do you think we can finish it on time?
A: We can work together.
Notice the pattern. What asks for a thought or opinion. How asks about a way, plan, or process.
Practice Section
Choose the correct option: how do you think or what do you think.
- ________ about my new idea?
- ________ she learned English so quickly?
- ________ of this restaurant?
- ________ we can solve this problem?
- ________ about the new school rules?
Answers
- What do you think about my new idea?
- How do you think she learned English so quickly?
- What do you think of this restaurant?
- How do you think we can solve this problem?
- What do you think about the new school rules?
Quick test: Questions 1, 3, and 5 ask for an opinion. Questions 2 and 4 ask about a way or method.
FAQs
What is the difference between “how do you think” and “what do you think”?
“What do you think?” asks for an opinion or idea. “How do you think?” usually asks about a way, method, or process. For example, “What do you think of the movie?” asks for an opinion, while “How do you think they made the movie?” asks about the process.
Can we use “what do you think” in questions?
Yes. “What do you think?” is a very common question in English. You can use it alone or with about or of. For example, “What do you think?” and “What do you think about this plan?” are both natural.
Is “what do you think about” formal or informal?
“What do you think about…?” is natural in both casual and fairly formal situations. You can use it with friends, classmates, teachers, or coworkers. The exact level of formality depends on the whole conversation.
Is “how do you think about this” correct English?
Usually, no, not if you want to ask for an opinion. Say “What do you think about this?” instead. Use “how do you think” when asking about a way or process, such as “How do you think he did it?”
Can I say “what do you think of” instead of “what do you think about”?
Yes. “What do you think of…?” and “What do you think about…?” are both common ways to ask for an opinion. For example, “What do you think of my idea?” and “What do you think about my idea?” have almost the same meaning.
Why do English learners confuse “how” and “what” in these questions?
The confusion happens because both questions use the same verb, “think,” and a similar grammar structure. Learners may also translate directly from their first language. Remember: what asks for an opinion, while how asks about a way or method.
Final Conclusion
“How do you think” and “what do you think” are not the same. The key difference is the question word.
Use “What do you think?” when you want to know someone’s opinion, idea, or view. For example, “What do you think about my plan?”
Use “How do you think?” when you want to ask about a way, method, or process. For example, “How do you think he solved the problem?”
The easiest memory trick is simple: WHAT = opinion, HOW = method.
Do not worry if you have made this mistake before. Many English learners confuse these phrases because they look so similar.
Just stop for a second and ask yourself, “Am I asking for an opinion or a way?”
With a little practice, choosing the right question will become natural. Try using “What do you think?”
in your next conversation and listen for how native speakers use “how” in questions about methods and processes.
Oliver Bennett is an English language educator and content writer passionate about simplifying grammar. He creates clear, practical lessons, writing tips, and learning resources that help readers improve their English with confidence.
