Making, Accepting, and Rejecting Suggestions in English

Hello English learners! In everyday life, we are constantly making suggestions. We suggest going out for dinner, watching a film, taking a break, trying something new, or solving a problem in a different way. That is why learning how to make, accept, and reject suggestions in English is so useful.

These phrases are important in ordinary conversation, but they are also very useful in speaking exams, especially when you need to discuss options, give ideas, or respond politely to another person’s opinion.

In this lesson, you will learn:

• how to make suggestions in English
• how to accept suggestions naturally
• how to reject suggestions politely
• common phrases with clear examples

Let us get started.

Making suggestions in English

There are several ways to make suggestions in English. Some are informal and friendly, while others are a little more polite or formal.

1. How about…? / What about…?

How about and what about are very common and useful phrases for making suggestions.

They are usually followed by:

• a noun
• a gerund (-ing form)

Examples:

• How about a walk after dinner?
• What about going to the seaside this weekend?
• How about ordering a pizza tonight?
• What about a cup of tea?

In informal spoken English, people also sometimes say:

• How about we go to the swimming pool?
• What about we get her a nice book?

However, for learners, it is often better to remember the safer and more standard patterns:

• How about going to the swimming pool?
• What about getting her a nice book?

These are very natural and easy to use.

2. Why don’t…?

We often use Why don’t…? to make a suggestion.

Structure:

Why don’t + subject + base verb

Examples:

• Why don’t we go to Greece this summer?
• Why don’t you call her and apologise?
• Why doesn’t he see a doctor?
• Why don’t they join us for lunch?

This structure is very common in spoken English and sounds friendly and helpful.

3. Shall I…? / Shall we…?

Shall I…? and Shall we…? are used to make suggestions or offers.

Structure:

Shall I/we + base verb

We use:

• Shall I…? when offering to do something
• Shall we…? when suggesting something for both people

Examples:

• Shall I open the window?
• Shall I make you a cup of tea?
• Shall we go for a walk?
• Shall we invite Tom and Lucy as well?

This structure is slightly more formal than Let’s or How about…?, but it is still very common, especially in British English.

4. We could… / You could…

We often use could to suggest an idea or possible solution.

Examples:

• We could go for a drink after work.
• You could take a few days off and rest.
• We could watch a film at my place.
• You could try speaking to your manager about it.

This structure is especially useful when discussing options or solving problems.

5. Let’s…

Let’s is one of the most common ways to make a suggestion in English.

Structure:

Let’s + base verb

Examples:

• Let’s go to the seaside this weekend.
• Let’s invite the Johnsons over for dinner.
• Let’s take a break.
• Let’s try that new café in town.

Let’s is informal, warm, and very natural in everyday conversation.

6. Why not…?

Why not…? is another simple and common way to suggest something.

Examples:

• Why not ask your teacher for help?
• Why not try again tomorrow?
• Why not come with us?

This phrase is short, direct, and very useful.

7. Would you like to…?

This phrase is often used as an invitation, but it can also function as a gentle suggestion.

Examples:

• Would you like to come to the party with me?
• Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?
• Would you like to take a break?

This is a polite and friendly way to suggest an activity.

Accepting suggestions in English

When someone makes a suggestion, we can respond positively in several natural ways.

Here are some common phrases for accepting suggestions:

• That sounds good.
• That sounds great.
• Good idea.
• Great idea.
• Excellent idea.
• OK, let’s do that.
• Yes, why not?
• I’d love to.
• That would be lovely.

Examples:

• “Shall we go for a walk?”
  “That sounds great.”
• “How about watching a film tonight?”
  “Good idea.”
• “Let’s go out for lunch.”
  “Yes, why not?”
• “Would you like to come with us?”
  “I’d love to.”

These responses sound natural, polite, and friendly.

Rejecting suggestions in English

Sometimes we do not want to accept a suggestion. In that case, it is important to sound polite. In English, we usually soften rejection so that we do not sound rude.

Here are some useful phrases for rejecting suggestions politely:

• Sorry, I can’t.
• I’d rather not.
• I’d prefer to…
• It’s a good idea, but…
• I’m not sure about that.
• I don’t really feel like it.
• Maybe another time.
• I’m afraid I can’t.

Examples:

• “Shall we go clubbing tonight?”
  “Sorry, I can’t. I promised to stay at home with my parents.”
• “How about a game of golf on Saturday?”
  “It’s a good idea, but I have a business meeting.”
• “Let’s go out tonight.”
  “I’d rather not. I’m feeling quite tired.”
• “Why don’t we go by car?”
  “I’m not sure about that. Parking is always difficult there.”

Rejecting a suggestion politely and offering another idea

In English, it is often best not only to reject a suggestion politely, but also to offer an alternative.

This makes your response sound more cooperative and natural.

Examples:

• “How about going to the beach?”
  “I’m not sure about that. It might be too crowded. Why don’t we go to the lake instead?”
• “Let’s eat out tonight.”
  “I’d rather not. I’m trying to save money. How about cooking something at home?”
• “Shall we take the bus?”
  “It’s a good idea, but it takes ages. We could get a taxi instead.”

This is especially useful in speaking exams, where you are expected to discuss options politely.

Common patterns for suggestions

Let us look at the main patterns again:

Suggestion patterns

• How about + noun / gerund
• What about + noun / gerund
• Why don’t + subject + base verb
• Shall I/we + base verb
• Let’s + base verb
• Could + subject + base verb
• Would you like to + base verb
• Why not + base verb

These patterns will help you make suggestions more confidently and naturally.

Common mistakes to avoid

Here are a few mistakes learners often make:

1. Using the infinitive after How about

Incorrect:

• How about to go to the cinema?

Correct:

• How about going to the cinema?

2. Forgetting the subject after Why don’t

Incorrect:

• Why don’t go now?

Correct:

• Why don’t we go now?

3. Using Let’s with to

Incorrect:

• Let’s to go.

Correct:

• Let’s go.

4. Sounding too direct when rejecting

Very direct:

• No, I don’t want to.

More natural:

• I’d rather not, to be honest.
• It’s a good idea, but I’m a bit tired.
• Maybe another time.

Politeness matters a great deal in English, especially when rejecting someone’s idea.

Example dialogue: making, accepting, and rejecting suggestions

Here is a short dialogue to show how these phrases work in real conversation.

A: It’s such a lovely day. How about going for a walk?

B: That sounds good, but I need to finish some work first.

A: OK. Why don’t we go later this evening?

B: Yes, great idea. Shall we meet at seven?

A: Perfect.

And here is another one:

A: Let’s go out for dinner tonight.

B: I’d rather not. I’m trying to save money this week.

A: Fair enough. What about cooking something nice at home?

B: That sounds like a great idea.

Why this topic is useful for English learners

Learning how to make, accept, and reject suggestions in English helps you in many situations:

• everyday conversations
• discussions with friends and family
• workplace communication
• travel situations
• Cambridge speaking exams

These phrases help you sound more natural, polite, and fluent. They also make conversations easier because you can respond to ideas in a more confident way.

Final thoughts

Making suggestions in English is an important communication skill. Fortunately, once you learn a few common patterns, it becomes much easier.

Remember:

• use How about…?, What about…?, Why don’t…?, Let’s…, and Shall we…? to make suggestions
• use phrases like That sounds great or Good idea to accept suggestions
• use phrases like I’d rather not or It’s a good idea, but… to reject suggestions politely

The key is not just grammar, but also tone. A polite suggestion or a gentle rejection can make your English sound much more natural.

So next time you want to give someone an idea in English, do not be shy — make a suggestion!

Related posts:

Polite Requests in English

Discussion and Agreement Expressions

Expressing Opinions and Arguments in English

Ways of Giving Advice in English

English Conversation Phrases

Phrases for Changing the Subject in English

Vocabulary for Negotiation and Persuasion

How to Make Offers in English

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