Collins Cobuild

Unit 86
Suggestions
Main points
You use ‘could’, ‘couldn’t’, or ‘shall’ to make a suggestion.
You use ‘Shall we’ to suggest doing something with someone.
You  use  ‘You  might  like’  or  ‘You  might  want’  to  make  polite
suggestions.
You use ‘may as well’ or ‘might as well’ to suggest a sensible action.
You use ‘What about’, ‘Let’s’, ‘Why don’t’, and ‘Why not’ to make
suggestions.
1
You use ‘could’ to suggest doing something.
You could phone her.
She could go into research.
We could go to the cinema on Friday after work.
You also use ‘couldn’t’ in a question to suggest doing something.
Couldn’t you just build some more new factories?
Couldn’t we do it at the weekend?
Couldn’t I just lie down in the cabin?
2
You use ‘Shall we’ to suggest doing something with somebody else.

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Shall we go and see a film?
Shall we talk about something different now?
You use ‘Shall I’ to suggest doing something yourself.
Shall I contact the Chairman?
3
You use ‘You might’, followed by a verb meaning ‘like’ or ‘want’, to
make a suggestion in a very polite way.
I thought perhaps you might like to come along with me.
You might want to try another shop.
You can also do this using ‘It might be’, followed by a noun group or
an adjective, and a ‘to’-infinitive.
I think it might be a good idea to stop recording now.
It might be wise to get a new car.
4
You use ‘may as well’ or ‘might as well’ to suggest doing something,
but only because it seems the sensible thing to do, or because there is
no reason not to do it.
You may as well open them all.
He might as well take the car.
5
You can also make a suggestion by using:
• ‘What about’ or ‘How about’ followed by an ‘-ing’ form
What about going to Judy’s before we go to the party?
How about using my car?
• ‘Let’s’ followed by the base form of a verb
Let’s go outside. Let’s hope we’re lucky with the weather on holiday.
•  ‘Why  don’t  I’,  ‘Why  don’t  you’  or  ‘Why  don’t  we’  followed  by  the

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base form of a verb
Why don’t I pick you up at seven?
Why don’t you write to her yourself?
Why don’t we just give them what they have asked for?
• ‘Why not’ followed by the base form of a verb
Why not bring him along?
Why not try both?

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