I suggested not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I suggested not" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a suggestion against something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I suggested not going to the party because of the weather."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I suggested not all things had to be entertainment, or that you had to enjoy it, that to see it once was a thing you'd remember and that could be enough.

Vice

In two previous blogs I suggested not to short the Euro (you would have lost 20%) and that the problem is the one Americans refuse to see: the deplorable state of their currency, further weakened by the recent QE2 initiative of one of the worst President that the Federal Reserve had recently.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I suggest not".

The Guardian

I suggest not illegal "smoke houses" but legalized ones.

The New York Times

Dare I suggest not the party that opposed the introduction of the minimum wage?

The Guardian - Opinion

I suggest not resisting.

Huffington Post

Am I suggesting not retaining an agency is the solution for you?

Huffington Post

I suggest not using some travel agent behind a computer who has probably traveled less than you.

Huffington Post

I suggest not reporting a difference from 9° to 18° as 99% difference.

eLife

Minor comment: p. 3, left: I suggest not lumping viruses and viroids with prokaryotes when considering genome size constraints.

Biology Direct

Rare spikes are not worth headdresses and i would suggest not trading them for it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering a suggestion against something, use clear and grammatically correct phrasing. Instead of saying "I suggested not", opt for "I advised against" or "I recommended not". This enhances clarity and avoids grammatical errors.

Common error

Avoid using the construction "I suggested not" because it is grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Instead, rephrase your suggestion using clearer alternatives such as "I advised against" or "I recommended that you not".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I suggested not" functions as an attempt to express a suggestion against something. However, according to Ludwig AI, the structure is grammatically incorrect, leading to potential confusion. Alternatives provide clearer ways to convey the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I suggested not" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect, though examples of its usage can be found across various sources including news media, science, and wikis. To avoid confusion and maintain grammatical precision, it is recommended to use alternatives such as "I advised against", "I recommended not", or "I suggested that you shouldn't". These options offer clearer and more accurate ways to convey your suggestion. While the phrase may appear in informal contexts, adhering to standard grammatical structures enhances the overall quality and clarity of your writing. Consider exploring the suggested alternatives for more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I advised against it

This alternative replaces the original phrase with a more direct and grammatically sound recommendation against something.

I recommended against doing that

Replaces the original phrase with a formal suggestion against a specific action.

I suggested that you shouldn't

Uses a more standard grammatical construction to convey the suggestion.

I proposed avoiding it

Suggests bypassing an action with a better construction.

I cautioned against it

Emphasizes the warning aspect of the suggestion.

I advised not to do it

Rephrases the suggestion by providing guidance not to proceed with an action.

I dissuaded them from it

This alternative clearly communicates an attempt to discourage someone from a particular action.

My suggestion was to avoid

Turns the original phrase into a formal suggestion.

I warned against that

Highlights the warning aspect of the suggestion.

I recommended they reconsider

Indicates a formal suggestion to rethink a decision.

FAQs

What's a clearer way to say "I suggested not"?

Instead of "I suggested not", you can use phrases like "I advised against", "I recommended against", or "I suggested that you shouldn't" for better clarity.

Is "I suggested not" grammatically correct?

No, "I suggested not" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use constructions like "I advised against it" or "I recommended not doing that".

How can I rephrase a suggestion against something without using "not"?

You can rephrase it by saying "I proposed avoiding it", "I cautioned against it", or "My suggestion was to avoid".

What's the difference between "I suggested not" and "I suggested that you shouldn't"?

"I suggested that you shouldn't" is a grammatically correct and clearer way to convey the suggestion, while "I suggested not" is grammatically awkward and less precise. For example use "I advised not to do it" as a better option.