suggested we not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggested we not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when recommending against a certain action or decision in a more formal or indirect manner. Example: "She suggested we not pursue that option any further, as it may lead to complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Some people have even asked to have them up all year, but an arborist suggested we not do that for the health of the trees," he said.

The New York Times

What if I hadn't felt like faking it in that moment and just suggested we not take pictures?

Huffington Post

The leader of the webinar strongly suggested we not interact with our students on Facebook, saying it just gives them more access to our lives and possible weapons if they decide to hurt us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Wisdom would suggest we not scrape over everything everybody said or every surrogate, including Jeremiah Wright.

The New York Times

Bill Dwyre suggests we not write off Lamar Odom after his most recent misstep.

Los Angeles Times

"Some people have even suggested we did not include Shanghai's fairly large immigration population.

BBC

As Dylan Thomas suggested we should not go gently into that good night.

Huffington Post

Jesus suggested we should not do "as others do" when it comes to religious observances.

Huffington Post

Given that these results were previously suggested, we do not discuss them further.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

I suggested we didn't, but what did I know?

The Guardian

As Don suggested we haven't had specific discussions beyond our proposal on transition mechanisms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suggested we not" when you want to convey a recommendation against something in a slightly formal or indirect manner. This construction is suitable when you want to soften the directive without losing clarity.

Common error

While "suggested we not" is grammatically sound, overuse can sound overly formal or stilted in modern English. Consider using simpler alternatives like "recommended we avoid" or "advised us not to" in more casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggested we not" functions as a verb phrase indicating a recommendation or advice against a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suggested we not" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey a recommendation against a particular action. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's usable in written English but leans towards the formal side. While you'll find it in news articles and more structured writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "recommended we avoid" or "advised us not to" in casual contexts. Remember to be mindful of your tone and audience when choosing between these options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recommended we avoid

Emphasizes a more direct recommendation to steer clear of something.

advised us not to

Highlights the provision of advice against a specific action.

counseled against

Implies providing formal guidance or advice to dissuade.

proposed we refrain from

Presents a formal suggestion to abstain from something.

intimated we shouldn't

Suggests a subtle hint or indirect suggestion against an action.

hinted we not

It's a more subtle and indirect suggestion than the original phrase.

implied we not

The suggestion is communicated indirectly rather than stated explicitly.

thought we ought not to

Expresses a belief or opinion that a certain action is inadvisable.

considered it unwise to

Highlights the lack of wisdom in pursuing a particular action.

felt it better not to

Expresses a personal feeling or inclination against a certain action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "suggested we not" to sound less formal?

You can use alternatives like "recommended we avoid", "advised us not to", or "suggested we don't depending on the context.

Is "suggested we not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "suggested we not" is grammatically correct, although it might sound slightly formal to some ears. It's perfectly acceptable in written English and formal speech.

What's the difference between "suggested we not" and "suggested we don't"?

"Suggested we not" is more formal and less common in everyday speech than "suggested we don't". The latter is a contraction and sounds more conversational.

In what situations is it best to use "suggested we not"?

This phrase is best used in formal writing or speech where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate. For more casual settings, using a contraction like "suggested we don't" is preferable.