What happens in the video
Hana wants a short name for the studio team's group chat, then suggests "the studio team that never reads messages." Theo jokes that it's as short as a full paragraph. He says "Keep it short" and offers "Studio lunch club, snacks optional," and Hana says it's better because now it's only half a paragraph.
1 What about this one?
Tone Casual suggestion
Use it to offer a new idea, especially when other ideas are already on the table. It works with friends and coworkers. In a formal email, write "I'd like to suggest..." instead.
What about this one?
For example:
A: We need a name for the class chat.
B: What about this one? "Room 12."
A: Simple. I like it.
2 Let's keep it short.
Tone Friendly advice
Use it when you want only a few words, in a name, a message, or a meeting. The word "let's" includes you, so it sounds like a team decision and not an order.
Let's keep it short.
For example:
A: How about "The best neighbors on Park Street and their dogs"?
B: Ha. Let's keep it short.
A: Fine. "Park Street."
3 That's too long.
Tone Direct and honest
Use it to say a name has too many words. It is honest, so add a smile or a better idea after it. With a manager or someone you don't know well, "Maybe something shorter?" is softer.
That's too long.
For example:
A: My idea is "Friday football and pizza after the game."
B: That's too long. Maybe just "Friday football"?
4 How about...?
Tone Light and open
Put a name or idea right after it, as in "How about 'Book club'?" It means the same as "What about...?" and fits almost any casual chat.
For example:
A: Any name ideas for the family chat?
B: How about "Home base"?
5 Maybe something shorter?
Tone Polite and soft
Use it when you want to say "too long" more gently. It is good with new coworkers or people you don't know well.
For example:
A: What about "Marketing team weekly updates and questions"?
B: Good idea. Maybe something shorter?
A: "Marketing weekly"?
6 Can we cut it down?
Tone Practical and friendly
Use it when you like the idea but want fewer words. "Cut down" means make something smaller or shorter. Don't use it if you dislike the whole idea.
For example:
A: "Saturday morning runners who love coffee."
B: I like it. Can we cut it down?
A: "Coffee runners."
7 Any other ideas?
Tone Open and inclusive
Use it to invite more suggestions from the group before you choose. It's useful when only one or two people have spoken.
For example:
A: So far we have "Team blue." Any other ideas?
B: What about "Blue crew"?
8 Let's go with that.
Tone Decisive and positive
Use it to agree on a final choice and end the discussion. Say it after people seem happy with the idea, not while others are still suggesting names.
For example:
A: "Lunch club"?
B: Short and clear. Let's go with that.
9 I like that one.
Tone Warm approval
Use it to support someone's idea. Add "a lot" for stronger approval. If you only partly like it, say "I like it, but..." and add your change.
For example:
A: What about "The weekend crew"?
B: I like that one.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
What about call it Lunch club?Better What about "Lunch club"? / What about calling it "Lunch club"?
After "What about" or "How about," use a noun or a verb with -ing. The base verb "call" is not correct there.
-
Not quite
That's to long.Better That's too long.
"Too" means more than you want. "To" is a preposition or part of a verb like "to go," so it doesn't work here.
-
Not quite
Let's keep it shortly.Better Let's keep it short.
"Keep it" is followed by an adjective that describes the thing, so use "short." "Shortly" means "soon."
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
Your friend has suggested two names. You want to offer a third. What do you say?
- What about this one?
- That's too long.
- Let's go with that.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: What about this one? "What about this one?" offers a new idea.
-
Which line is the most direct way to say a name has too many words?
- Maybe something shorter?
- That's too long.
- Any other ideas?
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: That's too long. "That's too long." is honest and direct, so people often add a smile.
-
In "Let's keep it short," what does "short" mean?
- Only a few words
- Said quickly
- Said soon
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Only a few words Here "short" means the name or message has few words.
-
You are talking to a new manager about a team chat name. Which line is the softest?
- That's too long.
- Maybe something shorter?
- Can we cut it down?
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: Maybe something shorter? It sounds like a gentle question, not a judgment.
-
Everyone likes the name "Lunch club." How do you make the final decision?
- Any other ideas?
- How about...?
- Let's go with that.
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Let's go with that. "Let's go with that." agrees on a final choice.
Questions learners ask
How do you suggest a name in English?
Say "What about...?" or "How about...?" and then give the name. For example, you can say "How about 'Lunch club'?" Both sound casual and friendly. In a formal email, you can write "I'd like to suggest..." instead.
Is "That's too long" rude?
It isn't rude, but it's direct. With friends, a smile or a better idea after it keeps it friendly. With people you don't know well, "Maybe something shorter?" sounds softer.
What is the difference between "What about" and "How about"?
In suggestions, they mean almost the same thing, and you can use either one. Both are followed by a noun or a verb with -ing, as in "What about 'Team blue'?" or "How about calling it 'Team blue'?"
What makes a good group chat name?
A good name is short, so people can read it quickly in a list of chats. Two or three words are usually enough. If an idea is long, ask "Can we cut it down?" and keep the most important words.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Theo are animated characters made with Google Flow.
