Suggestions: How to make suggestions in English?

There are numerous ways to make suggestions in English. From the use of modal verbs, as should either could, until verbs as suggest either recommend. The choice of specific vocabulary depends not only on the context but also on the level of formality of the discourse and the attitude of the speaker. For example:

• Let's go to the movies./ Let's go to the cinema. (informal language)
• I suggest contacting the child's parents./ I suggest contacting the child's parents. (formal language)

• It can help you: Useful phrases in English

Making suggestions: Ways to make suggestions in English

Depending on the context, the interlocutor and the level of formality of the speech, there are several ways to give advice and make suggestions in English:

Should (ought)

It is used in questions together with the pronounsYo and we in formal and informal contexts. It is followed by infinitive without to. In some contexts it does not have a Spanish translation. For example:

• Should we eat out tonight?/ Shall we eat out tonight?
• Should I read? / Do I read?
• Should we tell Mom about this?/ Should we tell Mom about this?

It is also used in affirmative sentences to make suggestions and give advice in a firm and forceful tone. When it's used should preceded by the phrase i think, it takes on a softer, more tentative tone. For example: I think you should consult the doctor. / I think you should consult the doctor.

to take into account: In British English it is used shall in questions to make suggestions instead of should. For example: Shall we eat out tonight?/ Shall we eat out tonight?

could (could)

It is used to make suggestions whose tone is tentative and friendly. It implies that one of several possible options is suggested. It is followed by an infinitive without to. For example:

• We could go to the theater on friday./ We could go to the theater on Friday.
• Yo could Contact the client./ I could contact the client.
• you could bake a cake for the weekend./ You could bake a cake for the weekend.

Maybe / Perhaps (maybe)

The adverbsmaybe and perhapsthey are used at the beginning of the sentence to give it a tentative tone; means that it is one of several possible options. They are often used together with modal verbs. dog, couldand should. For example:

• Perhaps we could try something different. / Maybe we could try something different.
• maybe you should be more careful next time./ Maybe you should be more careful next time.
• Perhaps we can ask Jane./ Maybe we can ask Jane.

Let's

It is used to make informal suggestions that involve the speaker and the interlocutor. is the contraction of let us, which has no translation into Spanish, in which the present subjunctive is used. It is used together with an infinitive without to. For example:

• Let's go out tonight. / Let's go out tonight.
• Let's Brian called. / Let's call Brian.
• Let's get down to business./ Let's start at once.

What about…? / How about… ?(how are you … ?)

They are used to make informal or neutral style suggestions. They are followed by a gerund. For example:

• what about getting together on Saturday? / How about meeting on Saturday?
• how about eating sushi tonight? / How about sushi tonight?
• what about inviting all our friends to the party? / What do you think about inviting all our friends to the party?

Why don't??? (why not … ?)

It is used to make informal suggestions. It is followed by subject + verb. For example:

• why don't we play tennis this weekend?/ Why don't we play tennis this weekend?
• why don't you come over for dinner tonight?/ Why don't you come over for dinner tonight?
• why don't we ask for help?/ Why don't we ask for help?

What if…? (and if … ?)

It is used to make informal or neutral style suggestions. It is followed by subject + verb. For example:

• what if we ask the teacher? / What if we ask the teacher?
• what if we go on vacation next week? / How about we go on vacation next week?
• what if I drop you off downtown?/ What if I drop you downtown?

Suggest / Recommend(I suggest / recommend)

They are used to make formal suggestions. They are followed by a gerund or by that followed by subject + infinitive without to. They can be preceded by would. For example:

• I would suggest hiring the other candidate. / I would suggest hiring the other candidate.
• We recommend visiting Greece./ We recommend visiting Greece.
• They suggested that he start earlier than expected./ They suggested that he start earlier than expected.

nouns are also used suggestion and recommendation followed by the verb to be. For example:My suggestion would be to avoid this area at night./ My suggestion would be to avoid this area at night.

would be(I would be)

It is used to make suggestions whose tone is friendly. It is followed by a adjective or of a comparative. For example:

• Item would be better to consult the CEO./ It would be better to consult the CEO.
• Item would be important to bear that in mind./ It would be important to take that into account.
• Item would be good to let the school principal know. / It would be good to notify the school principal.

Other phrases to make suggestions in English

There are other phrases that are used to suggest in English:

• Shouldn't we??? It is used to make an informal suggestion. For example: Shouldn't we choose the latest version?/ Shouldn't we choose the latest version?
• Have you…? It is used to make an informal suggestion. For example: Have you tried resetting the device? / Have you tried resetting the device?
• If I were you... It is used to make an informal suggestion. For example:If I were you, I would study for the test. / If I were you, I would study for the exam.
• You'd better... It is used to make an informal and strong suggestion. For example: You'd better not do it. / It's better if you don't.
• It might be a good idea to... It is used to make an informal or neutral style suggestion. For example: It might be a good idea to arrive earlier./ It might be a good idea to arrive earlier.
• Ought to…stands for should. It is used to make an informal or formal suggestion. For example: You ought to read more./ You should read more.
• May I suggest… ?It is used to make a formal suggestion. For example: May I suggest arranging a further meeting?/ May I suggest organizing a new meeting?
• My advice would be to… It is used to make a formal suggestion. For example: My advice would be to avoid wasting time now./ My advice would be to avoid wasting time now.

Follow with:

• Sentences with “may”
• “Second conditional” in English
• The modal verb “might” in English
• “I would like, I want, I need, I like”
• “Would rather” and “had better” in English

Interactive test to practice