suggest doing

USAGE SUMMARY

"suggest doing" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: I suggest doing some research before making a decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Not something I would suggest doing".

The New York Times

"I would hope that any candidate for president would not suggest doing nothing," Mr. McCain plans to say.

The New York Times

In fact, for a more comprehensive workout, trainers suggest doing several exercises on the stability ball to develop core strength.

The New York Times

On a practical level what I suggest doing is listening to how a couple introduces or refers to each other.

The New York Times

Others suggest doing an analysis of your financial goals, along with a direct comparison of no-point and point mortgages.

The New York Times

Judging from my lunch with Tom DeLay, though, I would definitely suggest doing everything possible to see this overweening rococo nativism as up-close as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

The right answer, it turns out, is "We do not know," because, the book advises, "we suggest doing whatever feels most appropriate for the guest".

The New York Times

They suggest doing at least 30 minutes or more of moderate activity on five or more days a week, and add that 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity is even better.

The New York Times - Health

If you're a parent whose concerned that your child has an eating disorder while at university, here's what I would suggest doing: Talk to them Talk to your son or daughter directly about your concerns.

The Guardian

In his memory, I suggest doing as the audiences of his seventies solo shows used to: stand and give a rousing chorus of "Loooooooooouuuuuuuuuu". Luc Sante's books include "Low Life" and "Kill All Your Darlings".

The New Yorker

I want to talk to him about the Real Junk Food Project, which he founded, and suggest doing it at the cafe he set up in Leeds which uses waste food and operates on a pay-as-you-feel basis.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggest doing", ensure the context clearly indicates who is making the suggestion and to whom it is directed. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "suggest doing" in excessively passive constructions. For instance, instead of saying "It is suggested doing…", opt for a more direct approach such as "Experts suggest doing…" for a more impactful and clear statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggest doing" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "suggest" acts as the main verb followed by a gerund ("doing"). This structure indicates the act of recommending or proposing an action, as validated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suggest doing" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to offer recommendations or advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and informal writing. While alternatives like "recommend doing" or "advise doing" may be more appropriate in certain formal situations, "suggest doing" remains a reliable and common choice for expressing suggestions in English. By avoiding passive constructions and ensuring contextual clarity, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey their intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recommend doing

A more formal alternative implying expertise or authority.

advise doing

Implies offering guidance based on knowledge or experience.

propose doing

Suggests putting forward an idea for consideration.

urge doing

Conveys a stronger sense of necessity or importance.

encourage doing

Implies inspiring or motivating someone towards an action.

endorse doing

Formally supports or approves of a particular action.

consider doing

Presents an option for thoughtful evaluation.

think about doing

Informally suggests contemplating a certain activity.

how about doing

Proposes an idea casually and invitingly.

try doing

Recommends experimenting with a specific approach.

FAQs

How to use "suggest doing" in a sentence?

You can use "suggest doing" to recommend an action. For instance, "I "suggest doing" some research before making a decision."

What can I say instead of "suggest doing"?

You can use alternatives like "recommend doing", "advise doing", or "propose doing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "suggest doing" or "suggest to do"?

"Suggest doing" is generally preferred. While "suggest to do" might be understood, it is less common and can sound awkward. Always opt for "suggest doing" for smoother grammar.

What's the difference between "suggest doing" and "recommend doing"?

While both are similar, ""suggest doing"" is a general recommendation, while "recommend doing" often implies a stronger endorsement based on expertise or experience.