- Do you ever struggle to find the right words to pair with ‘suggestion’?
- Are you unsure whether to ‘do a suggestion’ or ‘make a suggestion’?
- Do you want your English to sound more natural and fluent when offering ideas?
Understanding collocations, or words that naturally go together, is crucial for achieving fluency in English. Instead of simply knowing a word like ‘suggestion,’ mastering its common pairings will make your speech and writing sound much more natural, enhance your comprehension, and boost your confidence as an English speaker.
Essential Collocations using SUGGESTION as a Noun
The word ‘suggestion’ functions primarily as a noun, referring to an idea or plan put forward for consideration. Let’s explore the most common and useful collocations with this word.
Verbs that Collocate with Suggestion
These verbs indicate what you do with a suggestion.
- make a suggestion: This is by far the most common and natural collocation to express the act of proposing an idea.
- Example: “I’d like to make a suggestion for improving our team’s workflow.”
- Example: “The manager asked everyone to make suggestions during the brainstorming session.”
- offer a suggestion: Similar to ‘make a suggestion’, often implying a polite presentation of an idea.
- Example: “She didn’t hesitate to offer a suggestion when she saw the problem.”
- Example: “The consultant offered several suggestions to optimize the process.”
- give a suggestion: Less common than ‘make’ or ‘offer’, but still acceptable, especially in less formal contexts.
- Example: “Could you give a suggestion on where to eat tonight?”
- Example: “The instructor gave a suggestion for a good reference book.”
- put forward a suggestion: A more formal way to propose an idea, often used in official meetings or proposals.
- Example: “The committee put forward a suggestion to revise the policy.”
- Example: “He bravely put forward his suggestion despite the initial skepticism.”
- come up with a suggestion: To think of or create a suggestion.
- Example: “It took them hours to come up with a suggestion everyone agreed on.”
- Example: “Can anyone come up with a suggestion for a new marketing campaign?”
- accept a suggestion: To agree to or approve an idea.
- Example: “The board decided to accept her suggestion for the new project.”
- Example: “I hope they will accept my suggestion to extend the deadline.”
- reject a suggestion: To refuse or disapprove an idea.
- Example: “Unfortunately, the team had to reject his suggestion due to budget constraints.”
- Example: “It’s hard when your carefully thought-out idea gets your suggestion rejected.”
- consider a suggestion: To think carefully about an idea before making a decision.
- Example: “We need time to consider your suggestion before giving an answer.”
- Example: “The committee promised to consider all suggestions thoroughly.”
- follow a suggestion / act on a suggestion: To implement or take action based on an idea.
- Example: “If you follow my suggestion, you’ll save a lot of time.”
- Example: “The company decided to act on his suggestion for market expansion.”
Adjectives that Describe a Suggestion
These adjectives help you specify the nature or quality of a suggestion.
- constructive suggestion: A suggestion that is useful and helpful, often aimed at improvement.
- Example: “Please provide only constructive suggestions for feedback.”
- Example: “His constructive suggestion helped us overcome the technical issue.”
- valuable suggestion: An idea that is very useful or important.
- Example: “Thank you for that valuable suggestion; it really helped.”
- Example: “The professor gave a few valuable suggestions for the research paper.”
- helpful suggestion: An idea that provides assistance or improvement.
- Example: “She always has a helpful suggestion when you’re stuck.”
- Example: “Any helpful suggestion would be greatly appreciated.”
- practical suggestion: An idea that is realistic and can be implemented.
- Example: “We need a practical suggestion, not just theoretical ideas.”
- Example: “His practical suggestion made the project much more manageable.”
- brilliant suggestion: An exceptionally good or clever idea.
- Example: “That’s a brilliant suggestion! Why didn’t I think of that?”
- Example: “The team applauded his brilliant suggestion for the new design.”
- tentative suggestion: An idea that is not yet fully developed or certain, offered hesitantly.
- Example: “I have a tentative suggestion for the agenda, if you’re open to it.”
- Example: “She made a tentative suggestion about postponing the meeting.”
- strong suggestion: An idea that is presented with conviction or as a firm recommendation.
- Example: “The doctor gave a strong suggestion that I get more rest.”
- Example: “There was a strong suggestion from management to adopt the new software.”
Prepositions that Follow Suggestion
These prepositions clarify the relationship between the suggestion and its subject or origin.
- suggestion for: Indicates the purpose or recipient of the suggestion.
- Example: “Do you have any suggestions for a good restaurant?”
- Example: “The architect provided a suggestion for optimizing space.”
- suggestion about: Indicates the topic or subject matter of the suggestion.
- Example: “I have a suggestion about the new marketing strategy.”
- Example: “What’s your suggestion about how to proceed?”
- suggestion that: Often followed by a clause, commonly used for formal or indirect suggestions.
- Example: “The report contained a suggestion that the budget be re-evaluated.”
- Example: “There was a strong suggestion that employees should work from home.”
- at someone’s suggestion: Meaning ‘because someone suggested it’.
- Example: “We visited the museum at your suggestion.”
- Example: “At his suggestion, we tried a new approach to the problem.”
The Master Summary Table: Key Suggestion Collocations
Here’s a quick reference table of the most essential collocations with ‘suggestion’ to help you remember and use them effectively.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| make a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To propose an idea or plan |
| offer a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To present an idea for consideration |
| accept a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To agree to an idea |
| reject a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To refuse an idea |
| consider a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To think about an idea carefully |
| act on a suggestion | Verb + Noun | To implement an idea |
| constructive suggestion | Adjective + Noun | A helpful and useful idea |
| valuable suggestion | Adjective + Noun | An idea of great worth or importance |
| practical suggestion | Adjective + Noun | A realistic and implementable idea |
| strong suggestion | Adjective + Noun | A firm recommendation |
| suggestion for | Noun + Preposition | An idea related to a specific purpose or recipient |
| suggestion about | Noun + Preposition | An idea concerning a specific topic |
| at someone’s suggestion | Prepositional Phrase | Because someone proposed it |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common pitfalls that often arise from direct translation or lack of exposure to natural English usage.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I want to do a suggestion. | I want to make a suggestion. |
| I have a suggestion to you. | I have a suggestion for you. |
| That is a big suggestion. | That is a valuable suggestion. / That is an important suggestion. / That is a strong suggestion. |
| My suggestion is very good. (often sounds less natural) | That’s a very good suggestion. / My suggestion is quite helpful. |
| He suggested me to go there. (mixing verb and noun usage) | He suggested that I go there. (using the verb ‘suggest’) / He made a suggestion for me to go there. (using the noun ‘suggestion’) |
| I need suggestions about what to do. | I need suggestions for what to do. / I need suggestions about the problem. (Context determines ‘for’ or ‘about’) |
During our project review meeting, Sarah made a brilliant suggestion for streamlining our client onboarding process. Everyone immediately saw it as a valuable suggestion and decided to act on her suggestion without delay. John then offered a tentative suggestion regarding the budget, which we agreed to consider further. His suggestion for integrating a new CRM tool was particularly insightful, and at his suggestion, we’ve scheduled a demo for next week.
Frequently Asked Questions about Suggestion Collocations
1. What’s the most common verb to use with “suggestion”?
The most common and natural verb to use with “suggestion” is “make”. For example, “I’d like to make a suggestion.” While “offer a suggestion” and “give a suggestion” are also correct, “make a suggestion” is generally preferred in most contexts.
2. Can I say “give a suggestion”?
Yes, you can say “give a suggestion.” It’s grammatically correct and understandable, though slightly less common than “make a suggestion” or “offer a suggestion” in formal or professional settings. It is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation.
3. What’s the difference between “suggestion for” and “suggestion about”?
“Suggestion for” usually indicates the purpose or the recipient of the suggestion. For example, “a suggestion for dinner” (the purpose) or “suggestions for you” (the recipient). “Suggestion about” typically refers to the topic or subject matter of the suggestion. For example, “a suggestion about the new policy” (the topic).
4. Are there different types of suggestions based on their adjectives?
Absolutely! Adjectives greatly refine the meaning of ‘suggestion’. You can have a constructive suggestion (helpful), a valuable suggestion (important), a practical suggestion (implementable), a brilliant suggestion (excellent), or even a tentative suggestion (uncertain). These adjectives help convey the nuance of your idea.
5. How can I make my suggestions sound more polite?
To make a suggestion sound more polite, you can use phrases like “I was wondering if I could make a suggestion?” or “Would you be open to a tentative suggestion?” Using adjectives like “modest” or “humble” can also soften the impact, for instance, “I have a modest suggestion, if you don’t mind.”
6. Is “strong suggestion” common in everyday English?
Yes, “strong suggestion” is quite common and means a firm recommendation or advice that is highly encouraged or expected to be followed. It implies more weight than a casual suggestion. For example, “The doctor gave a strong suggestion to avoid sugary drinks.”
This post really helps with improving my natural English expression. My goal is always to sound less like I'm translating directly from my mother tongue.
That's a fantastic goal, Nadia, and mastering collocations is one of the most effective ways to achieve it! We're delighted to be a part of your journey towards sounding more natural and fluent in English. Keep up the excellent work!
What about 'propose a suggestion'? Is that redundant since 'propose' already means to suggest? Or is it acceptable?
That's a very perceptive question, Olivia! While 'propose' can indeed mean to suggest, the collocation 'propose a suggestion' is generally considered redundant. It's more natural and grammatically concise to simply 'propose an idea' or 'make a suggestion.' Using 'propose' as the verb is often sufficient on its own. Excellent critical thinking!
I always struggled with these kinds of pairings. This article makes it so much clearer. It's the little things that make a big difference in sounding fluent.
You've absolutely got it, Miguel! It's these seemingly small details, the natural collocations, that elevate your English from good to truly fluent. We're glad we could help make it clearer for you!
I often see 'take a suggestion.' Is that also a common collocation, or does it mean something different from 'make' or 'offer'?
That's a great observation, Lena! 'Take a suggestion' is indeed a common and correct collocation, but it means something quite different. While 'make' or 'offer' refers to *giving* an idea, 'take a suggestion' means to *accept* or *act upon* an idea that someone else has proposed. For example: 'The team decided to take the manager's suggestion and revise the timeline.' It's about implementing an idea, not originating one. Thanks for asking!
Could you give one more example sentence using 'offer a suggestion' in a slightly more formal context, perhaps in a business meeting setting?
Certainly, Rohan! For a more formal business meeting context, you could say: 'I'd like to offer a suggestion regarding the quarterly marketing strategy, if I may.' This shows politeness and deference while still presenting your idea. Hope that helps!
This blog post came at the perfect time! I had a presentation next week and was reviewing how to politely introduce ideas. 'Offer a suggestion' is exactly what I needed. Thank you!
Perfect timing indeed, Sofia! We're delighted this article could provide you with the exact phrasing you needed for your presentation. Good luck with it – we're sure you'll do great with your refined English!
I'm curious, are there any regional differences (US vs. UK) in how these collocations are used? Or are 'make' and 'offer a suggestion' pretty universal?
That's a very insightful question, Kai! For 'make a suggestion' and 'offer a suggestion,' the usage is quite universal across both US and UK English. They are standard and widely understood in both regions. While some idioms or vocabulary might differ, these core collocations for 'suggestion' are generally consistent. Excellent point to consider!
In my language, we 'give' ideas. So 'make a suggestion' felt strange at first. This explanation makes it clear why 'make' is the verb to use. Thanks!
It's fascinating how different languages express similar concepts, Anya! We understand that direct translation can sometimes create initial confusion, but with practice, 'make a suggestion' will feel completely natural to you. Keep up the excellent work in adapting to English collocations!
This article boosts my confidence so much! Knowing these specific pairings helps me feel less nervous when speaking in meetings.
That's wonderful to hear, Diego! Building confidence is a huge part of language learning, and using natural-sounding collocations can certainly help you feel more assured in your English communication. We're here to support your journey!
I appreciate how you explained that 'suggestion' functions primarily as a noun. Sometimes I get confused if it can also be a verb directly. This article simplifies it beautifully.
We're delighted we could clarify that for you, Chloe! Understanding the part of speech is fundamental to using a word correctly and avoiding common grammatical errors. Keep up the great work in distinguishing these nuances!