I suggest avoiding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I suggest avoiding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when recommending that someone refrain from a particular action or behavior. Example: "I suggest avoiding unnecessary risks when making investment decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I suggest avoiding these items altogether since no amount of lead is safe.

The New York Times

Some plant researchers have called these interactions 'within-species facilitation' (Harley and Bertness 1996; McIntire and Fajardo 2011), but this creates additional terminology for the same processes, and so I suggest avoiding this usage.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While I'm not going to rate them here, I would suggest avoiding those that promise to prevent identity theft, since the third certainty in life is that you will become a victim.

Huffington Post

The K/DOQI and KDIGO guidelines both suggest avoiding aluminium-containing binders.

BMC Nephrology

Experts suggest avoiding transactions over airport or cafe networks.

The New York Times - Tech

The Greeks did suggest avoiding sex and walking around naked (surely counter-productive?) to slim down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But for patients who have had repeated attacks of diverticulitis after consuming foods containing seeds or nuts, the doctor is likely to suggest avoiding them.

The New York Times - Health

Unless a corporate bond investor is "in a position to do extraordinarily deep analysis," he said, he would suggest avoiding anything that isn't "very high quality".

The New York Times

Some suggest avoiding corp dev, but corp dev executives are just doing their difficult job, Niyogi says.

TechCrunch

R4.8 After haemodynamic stabilization, we suggest avoiding fluid overload in the ICU.

Annals of Intensive Care

If you have a fear of snakes, we strongly suggest avoiding this video.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I suggest avoiding" when offering a polite but firm recommendation. Be specific about what should be avoided and the reason why. For example: "I suggest avoiding processed foods to improve your overall health."

Common error

While "I suggest avoiding" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "I recommend", "I advise against", or "It would be best to avoid" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "I suggest avoiding" is to offer a recommendation or piece of advice. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The verb "suggest" is followed by a gerund ("avoiding"), making it a standard construction for expressing a recommendation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I suggest avoiding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to offer a polite yet firm recommendation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and practical way to advise against a specific action. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, from news reports and scientific journals to general advice articles. While the phrase is useful, it's essential to diversify your vocabulary by using synonyms like "I recommend" or "I advise against" to prevent repetitiveness. The examples on Ludwig show this versatility, highlighting its widespread applicability in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recommend avoiding

Direct synonym, replacing 'suggest' with 'recommend' for a slightly stronger emphasis.

I advise against

Emphasizes caution and discouragement more strongly than 'suggest'.

It's advisable to avoid

Emphasizes the prudence of avoiding something.

It would be best to avoid

Shifts the focus to the optimal course of action, softening the suggestion.

I discourage you from

Directly expresses disapproval and advises against a specific action.

I would caution against

Adds a layer of warning, highlighting potential negative consequences.

I urge you to avoid

A more emphatic and persuasive recommendation.

I'd steer clear of

An informal phrasing suggesting careful avoidance.

Consider avoiding

Presents avoidance as something to think about, a more gentle suggestion.

I propose you refrain from

Formal and polite suggestion to abstain from something.

FAQs

What does "I suggest avoiding" mean?

The phrase "I suggest avoiding" is used to politely recommend that someone refrain from doing something. It implies that avoiding the mentioned action or item is the best course of action.

What can I say instead of "I suggest avoiding"?

You can use alternatives like "I recommend avoiding", "I advise against", or "it would be best to avoid depending on the context.

Is "I suggest to avoid" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "I suggest to avoid" is less common and slightly less grammatically correct than "I suggest avoiding". The gerund form (avoiding) is generally preferred after "suggest".

When is it appropriate to use "I suggest avoiding" in writing?

Use "I suggest avoiding" when you want to offer a recommendation with a degree of politeness and authority. It's suitable for professional emails, advice articles, or any situation where you want to guide someone's decision without being overly forceful.