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

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

"I suggested it not be rerolled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "I advised against", "I recommended not doing something", or "I suggested avoiding it" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Avoid placing "not" directly after "suggested". This construction is non-standard and can confuse readers. Instead, structure your sentence to clearly indicate what you are advising against, such as "I suggested not going" or "I advised against going."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I suggested not" functions as an attempt to express a suggestion against a particular action or idea. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect and non-standard in English. The intended function is to convey a form of negative advice or recommendation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I suggested not" is a grammatically incorrect and non-standard construction. Ludwig AI points out that it should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives such as "I advised against", "I recommended against it", or "I suggested avoiding it". While examples can be found in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, its use is infrequent, and correct grammar should be prioritized in both formal and informal writing. Using better alternatives ensures clarity and improves the credibility of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I advised against it

Replaces the original phrase with a more direct and grammatically sound recommendation against something.

I recommended against it

Similar to 'I advised against it', this provides a clearer and more grammatically acceptable way to express a negative suggestion.

I suggested avoiding it

Uses a gerund to create a grammatically correct sentence expressing a suggestion to avoid something.

I proposed we not do it

Restructures the sentence to include 'we' and uses a negative verb form ('not do') after 'proposed'.

I suggested that we should not do it

Adds 'that we should' to make the sentence grammatically standard, expressing a formal suggestion.

I counseled against it

Employs 'counseled', implying a more considered and thoughtful recommendation against an action.

I discouraged it

Uses 'discouraged' to convey a weaker form of recommendation against, suggesting mild disapproval.

I advised that it not be done

Formal and passive construction to express a recommendation against something.

I suggested an alternative approach

Shifts the focus to suggesting a different method, implicitly advising against the current one.

I proposed an alternative

Similar to suggesting an alternative approach, but uses 'proposed' for a formal tone.

FAQs

How can I correctly phrase a suggestion against something?

Instead of saying "I suggested not", use phrases like "I advised against", "I recommended against", or "I suggested avoiding it". For example, "I "advised against" going to the beach because of the storm".

What's wrong with the phrase "I suggested not"?

The phrase "I suggested not" is grammatically awkward and not standard English. It's better to use clearer constructions like "I "recommended against"" or "I "advised not to"".

Is "I suggested not" ever correct?

While rarely used and generally considered incorrect, "I suggested not" might be understood in very informal contexts. However, it's always preferable to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to avoid confusion.

What are some formal alternatives to "I suggested not"?

For formal situations, use phrases like "I "recommended that we not"" or "I "advised that it not be done"". These options are grammatically sound and convey a clear suggestion against something.