Friendly suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Friendly suggestion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when offering advice or a recommendation in a polite manner. Example: "I have a friendly suggestion: perhaps you could consider revising your proposal for clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Friendly suggestion: Don't do business with friends---even with lawyers involved---if someone can't afford to lose the purse.

Forbes

"A friendly suggestion to the Third Circuit: Rethink your mootness-by-unaccepted-offer theory," she wrote.

The New York Times

PLEASE consider, O Republican conventiongoers, a possibly radical but altogether friendly suggestion from a native New Yorker.

The New York Times

Have a great day". As I turn to collect my drink, I see a "friendly" suggestion that I don't use my laptop during peak hours.

Harvard Business Review

"It literally gets down to 'No, we don't say it that way, we say it this way.' Always phrased as a friendly suggestion — but it's pretty clear you don't want to say 'occupied territories'!

The New Yorker

But if Kelly is thinking of escaping Roger Ailes and Fox News because she thinks she has outgrown the man and his star-making machinery, I humbly offer a friendly suggestion: Call Glenn Beck.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Also, suggests lawyer friendly suggestions that may speedup the process.

Stanford University

They thus became known piecemeal and might be improved by friendly suggestions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lim Miller gave his staff strict instructions that they could not offer any advice - not even friendly suggestions.

The New York Times

Conversational forums where workers can share their experiences and offer friendly suggestions and constructive criticisms can build professional relationships.

Forbes

Both of these features use a simple and confidential process used to provide friendly suggestions: We hope you find something you like!

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Phrase your "friendly suggestion" with a positive attitude and respect to encourage open dialogue and avoid sounding condescending.

Common error

Avoid offering a "friendly suggestion" when it is clearly uninvited or the recipient is unreceptive, as it can be perceived as intrusive or disrespectful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly suggestion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It's used to introduce an idea or piece of advice intended to be helpful and agreeable. This is supported by Ludwig's confirmation that the phrase is correctly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "friendly suggestion" serves as a gentle way to offer advice or guidance, blending helpfulness with a cordial tone. As Ludwig affirms, it’s grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from news articles to business communications. While it might not be as ubiquitous as other phrases, it provides a valuable means of communicating constructive feedback. Remember to use it thoughtfully, ensuring the recipient is receptive to advice to maintain a positive interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Helpful advice

Focuses on the helpful aspect of the suggestion, less about the friendliness.

Kind recommendation

Highlights the kindness behind the suggestion, emphasizing a gentle approach.

Gentle reminder

Suited for suggestions that involve recalling something already known or agreed upon.

Piece of advice

A more general phrase for offering guidance, without necessarily implying friendliness.

Word to the wise

An idiom suggesting a smart or practical piece of advice.

Just a thought

Downplays the suggestion, making it seem less assertive.

My two cents

An idiom indicating a humble offering of opinion or suggestion.

A tip for you

A simple and direct way to offer a suggestion, often implying helpfulness.

Some advice

General phrase for offering guidance.

Good idea

Suggests a concept rather than advice.

FAQs

How can I use "friendly suggestion" in a sentence?

You can use "friendly suggestion" to introduce a piece of advice given in a gentle manner. For example, "I have a "friendly suggestion": try organizing your tasks by priority to improve efficiency".

What's the difference between "friendly suggestion" and "polite recommendation"?

"Friendly suggestion" emphasizes the warmth and personal intention behind the advice, while "polite recommendation" focuses on the courteousness and formality of the advice. The former feels more casual and less business-like.

What are some situations where I might offer a "friendly suggestion"?

You might offer a "friendly suggestion" when a colleague is struggling with a task, a friend needs advice on a personal matter, or when you see an opportunity for improvement in a non-critical situation. The purpose is to help without being pushy.

Is "friendly suggestion" appropriate for professional emails?

Yes, but use it cautiously. It's best suited for less formal workplaces or when you have a good rapport with the recipient. In more formal settings, a "polite recommendation" might be more appropriate.