How to Make Suggestions and Offers in English

Summary

This video tutorial focuses on the English language techniques for making suggestions and offers. It covers the use of 'shall we' for asking for suggestions, 'could' or 'might' for making suggestions, and 'how about' and 'what about' for proposing ideas. The video distinguishes between suggestions and offers, explaining that suggestions are ideas for consideration while offers are direct proposals. It also highlights the correct use of verb forms after 'suggest' and 'offer,' emphasizing gerunds, modal verbs, and infinitives. The script includes practical dialogues and examples to illustrate these language structures, making it an informative resource for English learners.

Takeaways

• 😀 To ask for suggestions in English, use the modal verb 'shall' followed by 'we'.
• 🌤️ The script uses weather conditions as a context to make weekend plans, emphasizing the use of 'could' or 'might' for suggestions.
• 🏞️ 'How about' and 'What about' are used to propose ideas, with 'How about' sounding more certain than 'What about'.
• 🎬 When suggesting activities, the script shows the use of 'let's' for a more informal and direct suggestion.
• 👍 To agree with a suggestion, phrases like 'Sounds good', 'I'm up for it', or 'Let's do that' are used.
• 👎 If unsure or disagreeing with a suggestion, use 'I'm not sure' or 'I'd rather' followed by an alternative.
• 🤔 The difference between 'how about' and 'what about' is clarified, with 'how about' used for suggestions and 'what about' for objections.
• 🗣️ The script teaches the correct use of gerunds, modal verbs, and infinitives after verbs like 'suggest' and 'offer'.
• 👥 Inviting others is shown as a way to expand social activities, using 'let's' to include more people in the plan.
• 📚 The script differentiates between suggestions, which are ideas for consideration, and offers, which are direct proposals or opportunities.

Q & A

What are some ways to make suggestions in English as discussed in the video?

In the video, it's mentioned that to make suggestions in English, one can use the modal verbs 'shall' and 'could', as well as phrases like 'how about' and 'what about'. Additionally, 'let's' can be used for a more direct suggestion.

How does the video script differentiate between 'how about' and 'what about' when making suggestions?

The script explains that using 'how about' sounds more sure about the suggestion, while 'what about' sounds less sure. Both can be used to make a suggestion, but 'what about' is also used to make an objection.

What are some phrases to express agreement with a suggestion in English according to the video?

To express agreement with a suggestion, one can use phrases such as 'sounds great', 'sounds good', 'sounds good to me', 'I'm up for it', 'it's a good idea', and 'let's do that'.

How can you disagree with a suggestion in English as described in the video?

To disagree with a suggestion, you can say 'I'm not sure', 'I'm not sure about that', 'I don't think it's a good idea', 'you'd better not', or 'we'd better not'.

What is the difference between 'suggesting' and 'offering' something as per the video?

The video clarifies that 'suggesting' is about expressing an idea or giving advice for consideration, often leading to a common decision. 'Offering', on the other hand, is about asking if someone would like something or would like to do something, where the other person can accept or reject the offer.

How should you report someone else's suggestion in English as explained in the video?

To report someone else's suggestion, you should use the gerund after the verb 'suggests', or the modal verb 'should', or the bare infinitive without 'to'. For example, 'Dan suggested going to the lake' or 'Dan suggested that they should go to the lake'.

What is the correct structure to use after the verb 'offer' when expressing an action in English?

After the verb 'offer', you should use the infinitive with 'to'. For example, 'She offered to help him with the homework' or 'He offered to give me a ride'.

Can you use the phrase 'let's' to make a suggestion in English? If so, what is an example from the video?

Yes, 'let's' can be used to make a suggestion in English. An example from the video is 'let's visit Colombia next year'.

What are some alternative ways to express a preference when disagreeing with a suggestion in English?

When disagreeing with a suggestion, you can express a preference using 'I prefer', 'I would rather', or the short form 'I'd rather'. For example, 'I'd rather stay at home'.

How does the video script illustrate the use of 'should' after the verb 'suggest'?

The video script illustrates the use of 'should' after 'suggest' by providing examples such as 'Dan suggested that they should go to the lake' or 'Dan suggested that they go to the lake'.