20 Polite and Advanced Phrases for Making Suggestions in English

Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we are going to look at 20 useful phrases for making suggestions in English.

Making suggestions is an important communication skill. We make suggestions when we want to recommend an idea, solve a problem, make plans, help someone, or contribute to a discussion.

You can make a suggestion in a very simple way:

• Let’s go for a walk.
• Why don’t we order a pizza?
• How about watching a film?

Phrases for making suggestions are useful, but English also has many softer, more polite and more advanced ways to make suggestions. These are especially helpful in meetings, discussions, speaking exams and situations where you do not want to sound too direct.

Compare these examples:

• We should change the plan.
• I wonder if we could change the plan slightly.

Both sentences suggest the same idea, but the second one sounds more polite and diplomatic.

In this lesson, you will learn 20 phrases for making suggestions naturally and confidently.

Why Learning Phrases for Making Suggestions is Useful

Good suggestion phrases help you sound more fluent and more polite. They are useful when you want to:

• make plans with friends
• give ideas in a discussion
• offer a possible solution
• speak more naturally in English
• sound polite in professional situations
• contribute to a Cambridge speaking task
• avoid sounding too direct or bossy

In English, the way you make a suggestion matters. A good idea can sound rude if it is expressed too directly. On the other hand, a carefully worded suggestion can sound helpful, respectful and confident.

Quick List: 20 Phrases for Making Suggestions

Here are 20 useful phrases you can use:

1. Why don’t we …?
2. How about …?
3. What about …?
4. Shall we …?
5. Let’s …
6. I think we should …
7. Could we …?
8. We could always …
9. I suppose we could …
10. I wonder if we could …
11. I wonder if it would be possible to …
12. It might be possible to …
13. Wouldn’t it be nice if we …?
14. What if we …?
15. This might sound crazy, but …
16. Just thinking aloud for a moment, …
17. I’ve just had an idea.
18. I haven’t thought this through yet, but …
19. Just to build on that idea, …
20. In an ideal world, …

Now let’s look at each phrase in context.

1. Why Don’t We …?

We use why don’t we to suggest doing something together.

Structure:

Why don’t we + base verb?

• Why don’t we go to see a football match on Saturday?
• Why don’t we have lunch together after work?

This phrase is friendly, natural and common in everyday conversation.

You can also use why don’t you when you are giving advice to another person.

• Why don’t you call Rob and apologise?
• Why don’t you take a short break?

2. How About …?

We use how about to suggest an activity, object or idea.

Structure:

How about + noun?

How about + -ing form?

• How about a cup of tea?
• How about putting the armchair closer to the window?

Be careful with the verb form after how about.

Incorrect:

• How about go to the cinema?

Correct:

• How about going to the cinema?

3. What About …?

What about is similar to how about. We use it to suggest another possibility or introduce a new idea.

• What about taking the train instead of driving?
• What about inviting Mira to join us?

What about can also mean “Have you considered this?”

• What about the cost? Can we really afford it?

In this case, it is not exactly a suggestion. It introduces a point for discussion.

4. Shall We …?

Shall we is a polite way to make a suggestion. It is especially common in British English.

Structure:

Shall we + base verb?

• Shall we start the meeting?
• Shall we go for a walk?

Shall we sounds polite, calm and slightly traditional. It is a useful phrase to know, especially if you want your English to sound natural in Britain.

5. Let’s …

Let’s is one of the simplest and most common ways to make a suggestion.

Structure:

Let’s + base verb.

• Let’s drive along the coast.
• Let’s try again using a different method.

Use let’s not when you want to suggest avoiding something.

• Let’s not make a decision too quickly.

6. I Think We Should …

We use I think we should when we want to make a clear recommendation.

Structure:

I think we should + base verb.

• I think we should leave earlier tomorrow.
• I think we should support the campaign if we really believe in it.

This phrase is more direct than I wonder if we could, but it is still polite because you are presenting it as your opinion.

Compare:

• We must change the plan.
• I think we should change the plan.

The second sentence sounds softer and more diplomatic.

7. Could We …?

Could we is a polite way to make a suggestion. Because it is a question, it sounds less forceful.

• Could we try again using a different method?
• Could we move the table closer to the window?

This phrase is useful when you want to suggest something without sounding too strong.

8. We Could Always …

We use we could always to suggest an alternative, especially if other options do not work.

• We could always ask Sandra to babysit for us.
• We could always stay at home and watch a film instead.

This phrase sounds relaxed and practical. It often means, “This is another option.”

9. I Suppose We Could …

I suppose we could is a cautious suggestion. It often shows that you are not completely sure, but you are offering an idea.

• I suppose we could have lunch together after work.
• I suppose we could invite them, although we do not know them very well.

This phrase is useful when you want to sound careful rather than too confident.

10. I Wonder If We Could …

I wonder if we could is a very polite and indirect way to make a suggestion.

• I wonder if we could change the date of the meeting.
• I wonder if we could combine your idea with something that was said earlier.

This phrase is especially useful in professional conversations and formal discussions.

It is softer than:

• Can we change the date?

It sounds more diplomatic:

• I wonder if we could change the date.

11. I Wonder If It Would Be Possible To …

This is a very polite and formal phrase. We use it when we want to make a suggestion or request carefully.

• I wonder if it would be possible to book the seats for the play.
• I wonder if it would be possible to arrange another meeting.

This phrase is excellent for emails, meetings and situations where you want to sound respectful.

12. It Might Be Possible To …

We use it might be possible to when we want to suggest something carefully. It sounds neutral and professional.

• It might be possible to book the seats online.
• It might be possible to reduce the cost.

This phrase is useful when you are not promising anything. You are simply saying that something may be possible.

13. Wouldn’t It Be Nice If We …?

We use wouldn’t it be nice if we when we are imagining a pleasant possibility.

• Wouldn’t it be nice if we went to Spain this summer?
• Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a lie-in tomorrow morning?

This phrase often sounds dreamy or hopeful rather than practical.

Grammar note:

After if, we often use the past simple when we are talking about an imaginary situation.

• Wouldn’t it be nice if we went away for the weekend?

14. What If We …?

We use what if we to introduce a new idea or possibility.

• What if we tried a completely different approach?
• What if we put our money where our mouth is and supported the campaign?

This phrase is very useful in brainstorming because it encourages people to think creatively.

15. This Might Sound Crazy, But …

We use this might sound crazy, but before suggesting something unusual, surprising or unexpected.

• This might sound crazy, but why don’t we go to Madrid for the weekend?
• This might sound crazy, but what if we started the project again from the beginning?

This phrase prepares the listener for an idea that may seem unusual. It also makes the speaker sound less pushy.

16. Just Thinking Aloud for a Moment, …

We use just thinking aloud for a moment when we want to share an idea that is not fully developed yet.

• Just thinking aloud for a moment, could we try again using a different method?
• Just thinking aloud for a moment, what if we moved the event to Friday?

This is a useful phrase in meetings because it shows that you are offering an idea, not insisting on it.

17. I’ve Just Had an Idea

We use I’ve just had an idea when a suggestion suddenly comes to mind.

• I’ve just had an idea. Let’s drive along the coast.
• I’ve just had an idea. Why don’t we ask Barbara to join us?

This phrase sounds natural and conversational.

18. I Haven’t Thought This Through Yet, But …

We use I haven’t thought this through yet, but when we want to suggest something while admitting that the idea is not fully planned.

• I haven’t thought this through yet, but I could ask Barbara out.
• I haven’t thought this through yet, but we could change the structure of the course.

This phrase is useful because it softens the suggestion. You are saying, “This is only an idea, so let’s not judge it too quickly.”

19. Just to Build on That Idea, …

We use just to build on that idea when we want to add something to another person’s suggestion.

• Just to build on that idea, we could invite students to give short presentations.
• Just to build on that idea, I suppose we could expand the business slowly.

This phrase is very polite because it shows that you are listening to the other person and developing their idea.

It is much better than simply saying:

• I have a better idea.

That can sound rude. In English discussions, diplomacy is your umbrella in bad weather.

20. In an Ideal World, …

We use in an ideal world when we are imagining the best possible situation, even if it may not be realistic.

• In an ideal world, we would finish the project by Friday.
• In an ideal world, we could eat ice cream every day and still be healthy.

This phrase is useful when you want to separate your perfect solution from what is actually possible.

Phrases for Making Suggestions by Level of Politeness

Some suggestion phrases are direct and friendly. Others are more careful and formal.

Friendly and Informal Suggestions

Use these with friends, family and people you know well.

• Why don’t we go for a walk?
• How about ordering a pizza?
• What about watching a film?
• Shall we have a cup of tea?
• Let’s go to the seaside this weekend.

Polite Suggestions

Use these when you want to sound respectful.

• Could we discuss this tomorrow?
• I suppose we could try another option.
• I wonder if we could change the time.
• It might be possible to book the seats online.

Advanced Phrases for Making Suggestions for Discussions and Meetings

Use these when you are brainstorming, discussing ideas or contributing carefully.

• This might sound crazy, but what if we changed the plan completely?
• Just thinking aloud for a moment, could we try a different approach?
• I haven’t thought this through yet, but perhaps we could make the course shorter.
• Just to build on that idea, we could add a practical activity.
• In an ideal world, we would have more time to test the idea.

Common Mistakes with Phrases for Making Suggestions

Mistake 1: Using “to” after let’s

Incorrect:

• Let’s to go for a walk.

Correct:

• Let’s go for a walk.

After let’s, use the base verb.

Mistake 2: Using the wrong form after how about

Incorrect:

• How about go to the cinema?

Correct:

• How about going to the cinema?

After how about and what about, use a noun or the -ing form.

Correct:

• How about a coffee?
• How about having a coffee?

Mistake 3: Using “to” after should

Incorrect:

• I think we should to leave now.

Correct:

• I think we should leave now.

After should, use the base verb.

Mistake 4: Sounding too direct in formal situations

Too direct:

• Change the date.

More polite:

• Could we change the date?
• I wonder if we could change the date.
• I wonder if it would be possible to change the date.

In English, indirect language often sounds more polite, especially in professional situations.

Mistake 5: Confusing a suggestion with an order

An order tells someone what to do.

• You must call her now.

A suggestion gives someone an idea.

• Why don’t you call her now?
• You could call her now.
• Perhaps you could call her now.

Suggestions usually sound more polite because they leave the final decision open.

Mini Dialogue: Making Suggestions in a Meeting

Anna: The current plan is not working as well as we expected.

Mark: I agree. What if we tried a different approach?

Anna: That might help. Just thinking aloud for a moment, could we divide the project into smaller stages?

Mark: Good idea. Just to build on that idea, we could test the first stage before we continue.

Anna: Yes, and I wonder if we could ask the team for feedback before Friday.

Mark: That sounds sensible. In an ideal world, we would have more time, but this could still work.

Mini Dialogue: Making Suggestions with Friends

Lisa: I don’t feel like staying at home tonight.

Emma: Why don’t we go to the cinema?

Lisa: That sounds nice, but I’ve already seen most of the films.

Emma: How about going for a walk by the river?

Lisa: Good idea. Or we could always have dinner somewhere first.

Emma: Perfect. Let’s do that.

Practice Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct word or phrase.

1. Why don’t we ______ to see a football match on Saturday?
2. How about ______ the armchair closer to the window?
3. I think we ______ book the tickets today.
4. Could we ______ this again tomorrow?
5. We could always ______ Mira to babysit.
6. I wonder if we ______ combine your idea with something we discussed earlier.
7. I wonder if it would be possible ______ extend the deadline.
8. This might sound crazy, but what ______ we started again?
9. Just thinking ______ for a moment, could we try a different method?
10. I haven’t thought this ______ yet, but maybe we could change the plan.
11. Just to build ______ that idea, we could invite more people.
12. In an ideal ______, we would have more time.

Answer Key: 1. go, 2. putting, 3. should, 4. discuss, 5. ask, 6. could, 7. to, 8. if, 9. aloud, 10. through, 11. on, 12. world

Final Summary on Phrases for Making Suggestions

Making suggestions in English is not only about grammar. It is also about tone.

Use simple phrases like why don’t we, how about, shall we and let’s in everyday conversation.

Use could we, I wonder if we could and it might be possible to when you want to sound more polite.

Use this might sound crazy, just thinking aloud and I haven’t thought this through yet when you are brainstorming.

Use just to build on that idea when you want to add politely to someone else’s suggestion.

The more suggestion phrases you know, the easier it becomes to sound natural, helpful and confident in English. A good suggestion can start a conversation, solve a problem or even change a plan for the better.

Related posts:

Suggestions in English 

Asking People to Do Things in English

Ways of Giving Advice in English 

English Conversation Phrases 

Discussion and Agreement Expressions 

Expressing Opinion in English 

Visit our bookshop for more