humbly suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "humbly suggest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to offer a recommendation or advice in a polite and modest manner. Example: "I humbly suggest that we consider alternative solutions to this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I humbly suggest "iconic".

The New York Times - Books

To this, I humbly suggest an answer.

The Guardian - Music

May I humbly suggest PizzaLand in North Arlington.

The New York Times

May I humbly suggest as the standard-membership in the species Homo sapiens?

Harvard University

In advance of that, we hereby humbly suggest five Bowie albums you shouldn't live without.

The Guardian - Music

I am a performer of, and I would humbly suggest the inventor of, chap-hop.

The Guardian - Opinion

I (humbly) suggest that anyone wanting to label themselves "environmentalist" should read these books.

The Guardian

What's needed with Mr. Obama, I humbly suggest, is not tweaks, but a more imaginative style.

The New York Times - Arts

We humbly suggest Smugtastrophe as a band name, and Plasma of Self Regard as a first single.

The Guardian

We might also humbly suggest that if you're a manager, you try to get a little better at giving feedback.

Harvard Business Review

Gareth Pritchard Daventry, Northamptonshire Might I humbly suggest Mr Rhys Jones sets his sights nearer to home?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "humbly suggest" when you want to offer a recommendation or advice in a polite and modest manner, particularly when addressing someone of higher status or when proposing a potentially controversial idea.

Common error

Avoid using "humbly suggest" in casual conversations or informal writing. Overuse can sound insincere or overly deferential. In such contexts, a simpler "I suggest" or "I think" is often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "humbly suggest" functions as a hedging device, softening a recommendation or proposal. As shown by Ludwig, it's used to introduce advice in a polite and unassuming way, conveying respect and avoiding any appearance of assertiveness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "humbly suggest" serves as a polite and modest way to offer a recommendation, suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and business settings. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. When choosing a substitute, consider options like "respectfully suggest" or "politely suggest" to maintain the tone. Overusing the phrase in informal settings can sound insincere, so reserve it for more formal situations. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, further validating its use in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Respectfully suggest

Emphasizes respect in the suggestion, suitable for formal settings.

Politely suggest

Focuses on politeness, making it a versatile alternative.

Gently suggest

Implies a soft and non-forceful suggestion.

Modestly propose

Highlights the speaker's humility, suitable for formal or academic contexts.

Kindly suggest

Emphasizes the kindness behind the suggestion.

Wish to suggest

A more direct but still polite way of offering a suggestion.

May I offer a suggestion

More explicitly asks for permission before suggesting.

I venture to suggest

Adds a touch of formality and hesitancy.

Put forward

Less focused on politeness and more on the act of suggesting.

Recommend

A straightforward alternative, less nuanced in politeness.

FAQs

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

You can use "humbly suggest" to introduce a recommendation or piece of advice, like in the sentence, "I "humbly suggest" that we consider alternative solutions to this problem."

What can I say instead of "humbly suggest"?

You can use alternatives like "respectfully suggest", "politely suggest", or "modestly propose" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "humbly suggest"?

Use "humbly suggest" when you want to convey respect and modesty, especially when addressing someone in a position of authority or proposing something that might be contentious.

What is the difference between "humbly suggest" and "suggest"?

While "suggest" is a direct way to offer an idea, ""humbly suggest"" adds a layer of deference and politeness, making it suitable for situations where you want to avoid appearing presumptuous or overbearing.