I suggest that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I suggest that" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to make a suggestion or recommendation. For example: "I suggest that we meet in the park instead of the café."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I suggest that is enough to turn any author's head.

Independent

I suggest that we paddle toward shore.

The New Yorker

He laughs when I suggest that.

The Guardian

I suggest that you withdraw it immediately".

The Guardian

I suggest that they try it.

The New York Times

I suggest that you copy them verbatim.

The New York Times

I suggest that view is blatantly dishonest.

The New York Times

I suggest that she goes to Relate.

The Guardian

I suggest that airlines run their businesses properly.

The New York Times

Not, dare I suggest, that many seem to care.

The Guardian - Books

Might I suggest that this tells us something?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To vary your writing, consider using synonyms like "I propose that" or "I recommend that" when appropriate for the tone and situation.

Common error

While "I suggest that" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Mix it up with alternative phrasing to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate versatility in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I suggest that" is to introduce a subjunctive clause expressing a recommendation or proposal. Ludwig examples confirm its role in offering advice or guidance. The phrase clearly signals the speaker's intention to influence a decision or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I suggest that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce recommendations or proposals across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's advisable to vary your phrasing to avoid repetitiveness. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, reflecting a generally neutral to professional register. Use "I suggest that" to clearly and confidently offer advice, but consider the nuances of your audience and context to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would suggest that

Adds "would" to soften the suggestion, making it less direct.

I propose that

Uses "propose" which implies a more formal suggestion, often for consideration in a group or official setting.

I recommend that

Uses "recommend" suggesting a based-on-experience advice.

My suggestion is that

Rephrases as a direct statement of a suggestion.

It is my suggestion that

Emphasizes that it is the speaker's personal suggestion.

I advise that

Uses "advise" to frame the suggestion as guidance.

I submit that

Uses "submit" which is more appropriate for formal arguments and proposals.

Consider this:

Introduces a suggestion more indirectly, prompting consideration.

How about we

Uses a question format to introduce a suggestion, making it less assertive.

Perhaps we could

Adds "perhaps" to introduce the suggestion with even more tentativeness.

FAQs

How can I use "I suggest that" in a sentence?

You can use "I suggest that" to introduce a recommendation or a course of action. For example, "I suggest that we review the data before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to "I suggest that"?

You can use alternatives like "I propose that", "I recommend that", or "it is my suggestion that" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I suggest that" or "I would suggest that"?

"I would suggest that" is slightly more polite and less direct than "I suggest that". Use "I would suggest that" when you want to soften your recommendation.

Can I omit "that" after "I suggest"?

Yes, omitting "that" after "I suggest" is grammatically correct and common in modern English. For example, both "I suggest that we leave early" and "I suggest we leave early" are acceptable.