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Making suggestions means proposing ideas or activities to others.
🔹 Ways to make suggestions:
• Let's + verb — Allons / On pourrait...
Let's go to the park! / Let's study together.
• Why don't we/you + verb? — Pourquoi ne pas... ?
Why don't we visit the museum? / Why don't you try again?
• How about + verb-ing? — Et si on...
How about going to the beach? / How about watching a film?
• What about + verb-ing? — Que dirais-tu de...
What about having a picnic?
• Shall we + verb? — On...? / Allons-nous... ?
Shall we start now? / Shall we meet at 3?
• You could / We could + verb — Tu pourrais / On pourrait
You could speak to the teacher. / We could take the bus.
🔹 Responding to suggestions:
• Accepting: Great idea! / That sounds good! / Sure, why not? / I'd love to!
• Refusing: Sorry, I can't. / I don't feel like it. / Maybe another time.
• Alternative: That's nice, but how about...?
📝 Dialogue — Making weekend plans:
Moussa: It's Saturday tomorrow. What shall we do?
Aminata: Why don't we go to the beach? The weather will be perfect!
Moussa: That sounds great! How about inviting Ibou and Fatou too?
Aminata: Sure! We could meet at 10 AM at the bus stop.
Moussa: Let's bring some food and drinks.
Aminata: Great idea! I'll prepare some sandwiches.
Moussa: Perfect. Shall I call Ibou?
Aminata: Yes, please! See you tomorrow!
💡 Let's vs Why don't we:
• Let's = more direct, immediate suggestion
• Why don't we = softer, more of a question/proposal
Make a suggestion using 'Why don't we': go to the library / study together
Correction
Why don't we go to the library? / Why don't we study together?
Respond positively to: 'How about visiting the museum on Sunday?'
Correction
That sounds like a great idea! / Sure, I'd love to! / Why not? Let's do it!
Translate: Pourquoi ne pas faire nos devoirs ensemble ? Que dirais-tu d'aller au marché ?
Correction
Why don't we do our homework together? What about going to the market?
Write a dialogue (6 lines) with a friend making plans for the afternoon. Use at least 3 different suggestion phrases.
Correction
Example: A: What shall we do this afternoon? B: Why don't we play football in the yard? A: Good idea! How about calling Moussa too? B: Sure! Let's meet at 4 PM. A: Shall I bring the ball? B: Yes please! See you at 4!
How do you politely refuse a suggestion? Write 2 examples.
Correction
Sorry, I can't — I have homework to do. / That's nice, but how about going tomorrow instead? I don't feel like going out today.