a generous suggestion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a generous suggestion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when offering a kind or thoughtful recommendation to someone. Example: "I appreciate your input, and I think a generous suggestion would be to consider alternative solutions that might benefit everyone involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We support her decision to split it between the artists and think it a gracious and generous suggestion," they added.

The Guardian - Arts

In his words "No other people have a government more worthy of their respect and love or a land so magnificent in extent, so pleasant to look upon, and so full of generous suggestion to enterprise and labour".

Independent

Much has been made about the proposal's "generous" suggestion that benefit cuts be made offset for lower-income workers who are at the brink of poverty in old age.

Huffington Post

She told me that at first she was genuinely pleased by the attention, which was why she so readily began calling and e-mailing and making generous suggestions.

The New Yorker

In the years since, I have learned from the generous suggestions of readers and audiences, refined my thinking, and continued to reflect in print on developments in feminist history.

University of Pennsylvania

We fully acknowledge their contributions to the success of our project whether through the generous suggestions of ideas, countless attempts to help us debug, or gracious contribution of their own code.

Cornell University

Thanks for conference participants' generous suggestions.

Journal of Economic Structures

Or search the generous Suggestions area.

Forbes

Thanks for anonymous reviewers' generous suggestions and comments.

Journal of Economic Structures

There was no suggestion, however, that "Let Me Roll It" was a generous offer to create a super-sized jazz cigarette.

Independent

The bird is treated to a generous rub of salt, and that's it (although you could spice it up a bit — see the suggestions in the headnote).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a generous suggestion" when you want to emphasize not only the helpfulness but also the kindness and thoughtfulness behind a recommendation. This phrasing is particularly effective in situations where the suggestion might require extra effort or understanding from the recipient.

Common error

Avoid using "a generous suggestion" when the suggestion is overly simplistic or doesn't fully address the complexity of the issue. Ensure that the suggestion is truly helpful and well-considered, not just superficially appealing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a generous suggestion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "generous" modifies the noun "suggestion". Ludwig shows that it typically identifies a proposal or recommendation that is characterized by kindness or an altruistic motivation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a generous suggestion" is a noun phrase that describes a recommendation characterized by kindness and thoughtfulness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts, though it carries a slightly formal tone. While not very common, this phrase is effective when you want to emphasize the altruistic nature of a suggestion. Related phrases like "a thoughtful recommendation" or "a kind proposal" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A considerate suggestion

Stresses the thoughtfulness and empathy involved.

A thoughtful recommendation

Emphasizes the consideration behind the suggestion.

A kind proposal

Highlights the benevolent nature of the suggestion.

A benevolent proposition

Emphasizes the well-meaning intentions of the suggestion.

A gracious offer

Focuses on the courteous aspect of the suggestion.

A charitable recommendation

Highlights the altruistic nature of the suggestion.

A helpful idea

Underscores the practical benefit of the suggestion.

A big-hearted idea

Emphasizes kindness and emotional generosity.

A magnanimous gesture

Implies a generous and forgiving spirit behind the suggestion.

A selfless offering

Focuses on the lack of personal gain in the suggestion.

FAQs

How can I use "a generous suggestion" in a sentence?

You can use "a generous suggestion" when offering a kind and thoughtful recommendation. For example, "I believe "a generous suggestion" would be to offer them additional support during this challenging time."

What are some alternatives to saying "a generous suggestion"?

Alternatives include "a thoughtful recommendation", "a kind proposal", or "a gracious offer", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a generous suggestion" a formal or informal phrase?

"A generous suggestion" can be used in both formal and informal settings, though it leans towards a slightly more formal tone due to the word "generous". In more casual settings, "a helpful idea" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "a generous suggestion"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight not only the utility of the suggestion but also the kindness and consideration behind it. This is especially suitable when the suggestion involves some level of sacrifice or extra effort from the person being addressed.