Making Suggestions in English – How about…?

Post author:Harry
Post last modified:02/05/2023
Post category:English Vocabulary
Reading time:7 mins read

When you’re making suggestions in English, you’re putting forward a plan or an idea for another person to think about.

A majority of people make suggestions all the time. For example, when they’re deciding what to do, offering advice, or helping someone. When we’re making suggestions in English, we have an open dialogue. And this is why learning how to make a suggestion is an excellent way to improve your English conversational skills.

You can also practice how to accept and decline invitations in English.

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Harry

Harry is a native English teacher with over 10 years of experience both online and in face-to-face lessons. With his extensive experience in business, he specialises in Business English lessons but happily teaches ESL students with any English learning needs.

Making and Accepting Suggestions in English

“What shall we do at the weekend?” You would like to suggest a plan but don’t think you have the necessary vocabulary to express yourself? Or perhaps you have to reject someone’s suggestion but don’t know how to do it in a polite way?

Don’t worry, with our common phrases for accepting, rejecting and making suggestions in English you’ll be able to express yourself comfortably.

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10 Phrases for Making Suggestions in English

1️⃣ Why don’t we …. go to a music festival?

2️⃣ We could … go to the theatre.

3️⃣ How about …. going to the cinema?

4️⃣ Let’s go to … the film theatre and afterwards we can try that new Italian restaurant.

5️⃣ Let’s call James and ask him what he thinks about it.

6️⃣ Shall we …. invite Sam to the party?

7️⃣ Do you fancy …going out tonight?

8️⃣ Would you like to go out tonight?

9️⃣ What about … going for a walk?

🔟 We might as well … stay at home.

Phrases for Accepting Suggestions in English 🙋

1️⃣ Yes, that sounds like a great idea.

2️⃣ Yes, that’s not a bad idea.

3️⃣ Brilliant!

4️⃣ Count me in too.

Phrases for Rejecting Suggestions in English 🙅

1️⃣ I am not sure about that, I don’t like Italian food. It’s too fattening. Let’s go to an Indian restaurant instead.

2️⃣ I’m not keen on that idea, I’d rather buy a takeaway to eat at home.

3️⃣ No, I don’t think so. Let’s go to the cinema instead of the theatre. It’s not so expensive.

4️⃣ No, I’d rather not talk about it with others.

5️⃣ I’m sorry, I really don’t feel like it. I have a cold and would prefer to stay at home.

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Making Suggestions in English - Dialogue

Now let’s take a look at the two dialogues below. Get a feel how phrases are used, review them and try to practice making suggestions in English.

Louise, Mark and Steve are planning their summer holidays together.

🧒🏽LOUISE: Where shall we go on holiday this summer?
🧑🏻MARK: How about visiting Madrid?
👱‍♂️STEVE: No, I am not keen on that idea, it will be too hot in the city in August. I’d rather go to the beach or the countryside.
🧒🏽LOUISE: My cousin owns a house near the beach which he rents out. Let’s go there instead.
🧑🏻MARK: That’s a great idea, Louise.
👱‍♂️STEVE: Count me in too. Can I bring my sister Debbie along too?
🧒🏽LOUISE: Yes, there are five bedrooms so there will be plenty of room and we can share costs.

I hope these phrases will come in useful when you’re making suggestions in English. Why don’t you practise them in your next English conversation?