expressing suggestions

Making informal suggestions.

In English we often express suggestions as questions:

Why dont we rent a car?Shall / Should we start the sales campaign earlier this year?Why not begin the meeting at 9? Everyone should be there by then.How about meeting next Friday in our offices?What about having a birthday party?I'd like to see a film. How about you?How do you feel about seeing a film?It would be nice to see a film.

Sometimes they are expressed by statements, for example:

We could go to the cinema this evening.Let's go shopping.I suggest / think we should take the dog to the vet.I suggest taking the dog to the vet.

Note the sentence patterns following each expression:

Why don't we + verb (simple form)Shall we + verb (simple form)Why not + verb (simple form)How/What about + verb (ing) We could + verb (simple form)Let's + verb (simple form)I suggest + subj + should + verb (simple form)I suggest + verb (ing)

When responding to suggestions, you may accept or refuse to accept the proposal. There are some expressions you can use to accept suggestions:

That's a good idea! = Good idea!That sounds great! = Thats a great idea!Brilliant!O.K! Let's do that!Sounds good to me!Maybe Ill do that!I guess its worth a try!

And other expressions for refusals:

No way!You're joking.That's a terrible idea.I'd rather say no.I dont think so.No, I dont like that idea.