suggest
gb/səd͡ʒˈɛst/ us/səd͡ʒˈɛst/
A2
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Propose an idea or plan
To tell someone an idea or plan that they can think about or use.
Usage pattern:
to suggest [something] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'suggest' with 'advise'; 'suggest' means to present an idea, not necessarily to give guidance based on expertise.
Synonyms
propose (Slightly more formal; often used in business or formal meetings.)
|
recommend (Implies giving advice based on judgment or expertise.)
Antonyms
oppose (Means to disagree with or resist an idea rather than offer it.)
Collocations
suggest a plan
|suggest an idea
|suggest a solution
|suggest changes
|suggest improvements
Themes
communication
|decision-making
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I suggest we leave early to avoid traffic.
- She suggested a new approach to the project.
- Can you suggest a good place to eat?
- He suggested that we take a break.
- They suggested several ways to improve the service.
Learner examples
- I suggest we go to the park.
- She suggested a new game to play.
- Can you suggest a good book?
- He suggested we eat lunch now.
- They suggested a different room.
Verb
B1
action
2
Indicate indirectly
To make someone think of something without saying it directly.
Usage pattern:
to suggest that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly use 'suggest' when they mean 'say' in direct speech; 'suggest' here means to give an indirect clue.
Synonyms
imply (Often interchangeable, but 'imply' focuses more on the act of hinting; 'suggest' can be broader.)
|
hint (More informal and often lighter in tone.)
Antonyms
state directly (Opposite in that it expresses the idea openly and explicitly.)
Collocations
strongly suggest
|seem to suggest
|facts suggest
|results suggest
Themes
communication
|implied meaning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her tone suggested she was upset.
- The evidence suggests he is guilty.
- His smile suggested that he knew something.
- The data suggests a link between diet and health.
- Their silence suggested agreement.
Learner examples
- Her face suggested she was happy.
- The test results suggest he is sick.
- His words suggest he is tired.
- The dark clouds suggest rain.
- Her voice suggests she is angry.
Verb
action
3
Recommend as suitable or beneficial
To tell someone you think something is good for them to do or use.
Usage pattern:
to suggest [something] for [someone/something]
Synonyms
advocate (Stronger and often more formal, with a sense of public support.)
|
endorse (Often used in commercial or formal contexts for public approval.)
Antonyms
discourage (Means to advise against doing something.)
Collocations
suggest a restaurant
|suggest a book
|suggest a method
Themes
advice
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I can suggest a nice hotel nearby.
- He suggested this book for beginners.
- They suggested yoga for stress relief.
- She suggested the Italian restaurant for dinner.
- Can you suggest a good movie?],
- learner_sentences:[
Grammar
Dictionary form
suggest
IPA
GB/səd͡ʒˈɛst/
US/səd͡ʒˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
sug - gest (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (gest)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: suggest
- 3rd Person Singular: suggests
- Present Participle: suggesting
- Past: suggested
Word family
Forms
suggests
verb
suggesting
verb
suggested
verb
Core family
suggestion
noun A2
Related words
suggestive
adjective B2
suggestively
adverb
Advanced or less common
suggestible
adjective
suggestibility
noun
Expressions
may I suggest
1/mˈeɪ ˈaɪ səd͡ʒˈɛst/
fixed phrase
formal
Polite way to propose something
A formal way to give someone an idea or plan politely.
Examples
- May I suggest we take a short break?
- May I suggest another approach?
suggest itself
1/səd͡ʒˈɛst ɪtsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
An idea comes naturally
When an idea comes into your mind without trying to think of it.
Examples
- When talking about holidays, Paris immediately suggested itself.
- A possible solution suggested itself during the meeting.