I suggested them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I suggested them" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically involve a direct object that is not a pronoun, such as "I suggested them" should be "I suggested that they..." or "I suggested to them...". Example: "I suggested to them that we meet at the café to discuss the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I know who this year's "heritage act" is (I suggested them in a drunken text to Rob earlier this year) though they are being kept top secret until the day.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Oh, I suggest them for municipal events and things like that," said Pat Lindsay-Harvey, owner of Precision Coordinators, a party-planning service in Willingboro.

The New York Times

I've suggested them to a few of the patrons who come into the library where I work, and they like that there is less potty humour.

The Guardian

May I suggest they sell them for $65,000 each, and they would have to sell even fewer.

The New York Times

"Why steel studs?" "The fire marshal suggested them," I say.

The New York Times

I think of things in the sense of whether I'd suggest them to my mom or non-techie friends.

TechCrunch

If clients question our fees, I suggested, showing them that our profits are very low will help them see that we are not charging what we charge out of greed.

The New York Times

I recently got a very nice note from the head of public relations for Citibank, thanking me for the enlarged photos I sent, suggesting them as lobby murals.

The New Yorker

Another religious leader said, "I will suggest them to give the specimen as it has no harm; it will help you and others of the country.

BMC Medical Ethics

I suggested to them that their kneejerk response to all criticism, no matter the tone or subject matter, was doing their country enormous harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

I suggested to them that I make a selection and get on with some scanning.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider restructuring your sentence to include a 'that' clause (e.g., "I suggested that they consider...") or specify the action to which you are suggesting they take part. This eliminates ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I suggested them" directly. Instead, rephrase to "I suggested something to them" or "I suggested that they do something" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I suggested them" functions as a declarative statement where the speaker asserts they made a suggestion regarding a group of people or items. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

20%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "I suggested them" may occasionally appear in writing and speech, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI highlights this point. For clarity and correctness, it's best to opt for alternatives like "I suggested something to them" or "I suggested that they should...".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I recommended them

Replaces "suggested" with "recommended", implying a stronger endorsement.

I proposed them

Substitutes "suggested" with "proposed", often used for formal recommendations or plans.

I nominated them

Uses "nominated" instead of "suggested", specifically for formal selection processes.

I put them forward

Replaces the verb with the phrasal verb "put forward", indicating a presentation or introduction of the subjects.

I advised them

Uses "advised" instead of "suggested", emphasizing guidance and counsel.

I prompted them

Changes "suggested" to "prompted", implying initiating an action from them.

I hinted at them

Replaces "suggested" with "hinted", implying an indirect suggestion.

I advocated for them

Uses "advocated" implying strong support for the individuals or items.

I endorsed them

Substitutes "suggested" with "endorsed", meaning giving public approval or support.

I favored them

Replaces "suggested" with "favored", implying a preference for the suggested subjects.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I suggested them" to be grammatically correct?

To correct "I suggested them", consider options like "I suggested something to them" or "I suggested that they do something". The specific rephrasing depends on the intended meaning.

Is "I suggested them" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "I suggested them" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. More appropriate alternatives include /s/I+recommended+them or /s/I+proposed+them.

What's the difference between "I suggested them" and "I suggested it to them"?

"I suggested them" is vague and often grammatically incorrect, while "I suggested it to them" is clearer because it includes a direct object ("it") specifying what was suggested.

Are there situations where "I suggested them" might be acceptable?

While technically incorrect, "I suggested them" might appear in informal speech. For formal contexts, it's best to use clearer alternatives like /s/I+recommended+them or "I suggested that they should...".