There are a number of formulas used when making suggestions in English. Here are some of the most common:
- Why don't you / we go to the movies tonight?
- You / we could visit New York while you're / we're there.
- Let's go to the travel agent's this afternoon to book our ticket.
- What about asking your brother for help?
- How about going to Hawaii for your vacation?
- I suggest you / we take all the factors into consideration before we decide.
After you study these constructions, take the making suggestions quiz to check your understanding.
More English Functions
Disagreeing
Contrasting Ideas
Making Complaints
Asking for Information
Giving Advice
Guessing
Being Imprecise or Vague
Saying 'No' Nicely
Showing Preferences
Making Suggestions
Offering Help
Giving Warning
Demanding Explanations
Construction
| Formula | Verb Form |
| Why don't you / we go to a movie? | Use the base form of the verb in a question |
| We / You could go to a movie. | Use the base form of the verb in a statement |
| Let's go to a movie. | Use the base form of the verb with 'let's' |
| What about going to a movie? | Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question |
| How about going to a movie? | Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question |
| I suggest you / we go to a movie. | Use suggest object verb in the base form in a statement. |
