How to Make Suggestions and Offers in English

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through making suggestions and offers in English, focusing on common phrases and expressions. This knowledge is essential for improving your conversational skills in social and professional settings, especially at an intermediate level.

Step 1: Asking for Suggestions

To ask someone for their opinion or idea, you can use the following phrases:

• What shall we do this weekend?
• Do you have any suggestions?
• Can you recommend something?

These phrases open the floor for others to share their thoughts and make the conversation more interactive.

Step 2: Making Suggestions

When you want to propose an idea, consider using these expressions:

• How about...?
• What about...?
• I suggest...

Each of these expressions can introduce your suggestion effectively.

Step 3: Understanding How About and What About

Both "how about" and "what about" can be used to make suggestions, but they may convey slightly different tones:

• Use "how about" to propose an idea that the listener might consider.

  • Example: How about going for a hike this weekend?

• Use "what about" to bring up an alternative or to check if the listener agrees.

  • Example: What about trying that new restaurant?

Step 4: Using Let's

The phrase "let's" is a friendly way to make a suggestion that includes the speaker and listener.

• Example: Let's watch a movie tonight.

This phrase conveys inclusivity and encourages collaboration.

Step 5: Agreeing with a Suggestion

When you agree with a suggestion, you can use phrases like:

• I think that’s a great idea.
• I agree.
• Sounds good to me.

These responses show support and enthusiasm for the suggestion made.

Step 6: Disagreeing with a Suggestion

If you disagree, it’s important to express your opinion respectfully. Use phrases such as:

• I’m not sure about that.
• I’d rather not.
• We had better not...

These phrases can help to convey your disagreement without sounding too harsh.

Step 7: Suggesting an Alternative

When you want to propose a different option, use:

• I prefer...
• I would rather...
• We had better...

For example:

• I would rather stay in than go out tonight.

Step 8: Reporting Suggestions

To report what others have suggested, use:

• He suggested doing...
• She suggested that we should...

These structures help in communicating others' ideas clearly.

Step 9: Differentiating Suggest and Offer

It's important to know the distinction between "suggest" and "offer":

• "Suggest" means to propose an idea for consideration.

  • Example: I suggest visiting the museum.

• "Offer" means to present something for acceptance.

  • Example: I offer to help you with your project.

Conclusion

This tutorial covered essential phrases for making suggestions and offers in English, including how to ask for suggestions, agree or disagree, and report on what others say. Practice using these expressions in conversations to enhance your fluency. Consider writing your own examples or questions based on this tutorial, and feel free to share them for further practice!