An infographic illustrating different ways to make suggestions in English, suitable for ESL learners looking to improve their conversational abilities.

Crafting Suggestions: A Guide to Polite Proposals in English

 

Making suggestions is a fundamental aspect of communication, allowing us to propose ideas, activities, and solutions in a collaborative manner. This lesson focuses on various phrases and structures you can use to make suggestions in English, ensuring you're prepared to offer your ideas politely and effectively in any situation.

Learning Objectives:

  • Familiarize yourself with common phrases for making suggestions.
  • Understand how to agree or reject suggestions politely.
  • Enhance your conversational skills in English through practical examples.

Making Suggestions: Phrases and Examples

  1. Let's revise...
    Example: "Let's revise our project plan to ensure we meet the deadline."

  2. What about going to...?
    Example: "What about going to the cinema tonight?"

  3. How about going...?
    Example: "How about going for a walk in the park?"

  4. Why don't we go...?
    Example: "Why don't we go out for dinner tomorrow?"

  5. Couldn't we...?
    Example: "Couldn't we try a different approach to solve this problem?"

  6. Shall we...?
    Example: "Shall we start the meeting now?"

  7. What would you say to...?
    Example: "What would you say to postponing the event?"

  8. Don't you think it is a good idea to...?
    Example: "Don't you think it is a good idea to check the weather forecast before we leave?"

  9. Does it matter if we...?
    Example: "Does it matter if we finish this task by next week?"

  10. Would you like to...?
    Example: "Would you like to join us for lunch?"

Agreeing or Rejecting Suggestions

Agree:

  • "Yes, I'd love to."
  • "What a good idea!"
  • "Brilliant!"
  • "Yes, with pleasure."
  • "Count me in too."

Reject:

  • "No, let's not."
  • "Well, I'd rather..."
  • "I don't feel like it."
  • "What an awful idea!"
  • "I'm not very keen on..."

 

Conclusion and Takeaways

This lesson has equipped you with a variety of phrases to make suggestions in English, along with polite ways to agree or reject those proposals. Remember, the key to effective communication is not just about making suggestions but also responding to them constructively.

  • Practice: Try using these phrases in your daily conversations or in writing.
  • Visual Aids: Create flashcards or mind maps with different phrases for making and responding to suggestions.
  • Real-Life Application: Apply these phrases in real-life scenarios, such as planning activities with friends or discussing ideas at work.
  • Feedback: Share your experiences and learn from giving and receiving feedback.
  • Continuous Learning: Engage with more complex structures as you become comfortable with these basics.

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