suggest
HighNeutral to formal; widely used across all registers except highly casual slang
Definition
Meaning
to mention an idea, plan, or person for consideration
to cause someone to think that something exists or is true; to imply indirectly; to make something seem attractive or suitable
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often introduces a tentative proposal rather than a command. Can imply indirect evidence or logical inference. In some patterns, it introduces a that-clause, often with subjunctive mood in formal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference for mandative subjunctive (I suggest he go) in AmE, while BrE may use 'should' (I suggest he should go) or indicative more readily.
Connotations
Equally polite and common in both varieties.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with near-identical usage patterns.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suggest something (to somebody)suggest (that)…suggest doing somethingsuggest what/how/where…suggest somebody/something for somethingsuggest itself (to somebody)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “suggest itself”
- “nothing suggests itself”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in meetings to propose strategies, solutions, or candidates.
Academic
Used to present hypotheses, interpretations of data, or tentative conclusions.
Everyday
Used to make plans, give advice, or offer solutions informally.
Technical
Used to indicate correlations or implications in data without stating causation definitively.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The dark clouds suggest rain is coming.
- Might I suggest the fish pie?
- Her smile suggested she was pleased.
American English
- The data suggests a link between the variables.
- Can I suggest we take a short break?
- His tone suggested he wasn't convinced.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I suggest we go to the park.
- The teacher suggested a good book.
- The report suggests several ways to save money.
- Can anyone suggest a suitable restaurant?
- All the evidence suggests he was not at the scene.
- She suggested postponing the meeting until July.
- The archaeological finds suggest a previously unknown trade route.
- It has been suggested that the policy may have unintended consequences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SUGAR + GUEST' – Imagine a guest suggesting you add more sugar to your tea.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE OBJECTS OFFERED FOR INSPECTION (He offered a suggestion). THINKING IS SEEING (The data suggests a trend).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'suggest' with a direct personal object for giving advice (not *'I suggested him to go'). Use 'advise' or 'recommend' with that structure.
- Do not confuse with 'mean' or 'imply' when translating 'иметь в виду'.
- The Russian 'предполагать' can be 'assume' or 'suppose', not always 'suggest'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'I suggest you to apply.' Correct: 'I suggest (that) you apply.' or 'I suggest applying.'
- Incorrect: *'He suggested me a solution.' Correct: 'He suggested a solution to me.'
- Overusing 'suggest' where 'say' or 'think' is more natural in reported thought.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'suggest' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The correct pattern is 'suggest someone's doing something' (formal/gerund) or, more commonly, 'suggest (that) someone do something' (subjunctive or with 'should').
'Suggest' is more tentative and open; 'recommend' is stronger, based on positive experience or authority, and implies endorsement.
Rarely, as it is a stative verb of mental activity. 'Are you suggesting...?' is an idiomatic use in the present continuous to challenge an implication.
It follows standard backshift rules: 'He said, "I suggest we leave."' becomes 'He suggested (that) we leave.' The subjunctive or base form often remains in the reported clause.