Someone suggested I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Someone suggested I" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a recommendation or advice given by another person regarding an action you should take. Example: "Someone suggested I take a break and recharge my energy before continuing with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Someone suggested I visit the tourist attraction of Père Lachaise where the famous are buried.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Someone suggested I find a copy of "The Big Shave," a short film by Martin Scorsese.

The New York Times - Magazine

Someone suggested I get in touch with him for a project I was working on and provided an e-mail address.

The New York Times - Style

Someone suggested I buy real estate, but I resisted because I'd always had a vision that my first property was something that would be bought by my man.

Forbes

Someone suggested I pitch a TV show because it's like a series of short films with the same cast of characters.

Vice

Someone suggested I find some kind of creative outlet—I think they meant oil painting or pottery or something like that.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

9am Someone suggests I "socialise" my documents.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Right," she says, the way I do when someone suggests I learn how to drive.

The New Yorker

Now when someone suggests I go to hell, I smile and say…been there.

Forbes

"I don't like children," I say for the umpteenth time after someone suggests I swap my black pen for a red one and take up teaching.

Vice

It's the same way I've always reacted when someone suggests I quit, or that people in general might be healthier in virtually any way for quitting.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Someone suggested I", ensure the context clearly indicates the action that was suggested and the outcome or your decision regarding the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "Someone suggested I" when you cannot clearly identify the source of the suggestion. If the source is vague, consider rephrasing to "It was suggested that I..." to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Someone suggested I" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a suggestion or piece of advice that was given to the speaker. As Ludwig confirms, it is a grammatically correct and common way to introduce a recommendation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Someone suggested I" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an action or idea that was recommended by another person. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is typically used to set the context for a decision or action influenced by external advice, finding its usage across diverse sources from journalism to academic writing. When using "Someone suggested I", it is essential to specify what was suggested and ensure the attribution is clear. If the source of the suggestion is uncertain, passive constructions like "It was suggested that I" may offer greater clarity. Overall, it's a versatile phrase for reporting recommendations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Someone recommended that I

This alternative is very similar, explicitly using the word 'recommended'.

It was suggested that I

This alternative uses passive voice and shifts the focus away from the person who made the suggestion.

I was advised to

This phrase is a more formal way of saying someone gave you advice.

I was told to

This phrase implies a direct instruction or recommendation.

I had a recommendation to

This phrasing focuses on the fact that a formal recommendation occurred.

I received a suggestion to

This is a slightly more detached and formal way of stating that you received a suggestion.

A suggestion was made to me to

This is a more formal and passive construction.

The advice I received was to

This alternative emphasizes the advice itself.

I got a tip to

This phrase is more informal, implying a casual suggestion or piece of advice.

I heard it suggested that I

This implies the suggestion came indirectly, or from an unknown source.

FAQs

How can I use "Someone suggested I" in a sentence?

Use "Someone suggested I" to introduce an idea or action that was recommended to you by another person. For example, "Someone suggested I try a new restaurant", indicating that someone recommended the restaurant to you.

What are some alternatives to "Someone suggested I"?

You can use alternatives like "I was advised to", "It was suggested that I", or "Someone recommended that I", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "Someone suggested me" grammatically correct?

No, "Someone suggested me" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "Someone suggested I" or "Someone suggested to me". The verb "suggest" requires a clause or the preposition "to" when followed by a pronoun.

What's the difference between "Someone suggested I" and "It was suggested that I"?

While both phrases convey a suggestion, "Someone suggested I" is more direct and indicates a specific person made the suggestion. "It was suggested that I" is more passive and can be used when the source of the suggestion is unknown or less important.