suggests

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "suggests" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a suggestion, hinting or implying something. For example: The news article suggests that the government is considering new economic policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study suggests that in 168 marginal seats, the ethnic minority vote is bigger than the majority of the sitting MP.

The Guardian

The evidence suggests otherwise.

The Economist

This month's Guardian/ICM poll suggests the answer is a cautious yes – but the party has yet to convince voters it has the right team and policies to run the country.

The Guardian

This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.

The Guardian

"You see it in personalities whose idea of leadership is to rescue the situation – it's quite a macho thing," he suggests.

The Guardian

"Imagine a situation where the organisation rewards you for being a bad leader," she suggests.

The Guardian

This has sometimes meant taking on the vested interests of the medical profession, and Seddon's description of SalaUna suggests that power lies with the managers of the business, who use contracts, incentives, data and dismissal as tools to shape the behaviour of clinicians.

The Guardian

We cannot know yet the exact nature of his indisposition; his sudden departure suggests a serious setback.

The Guardian - Sport

Updated at 11.34am AEST Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.21am AEST02 21 Shorten is asked about climate change and suggests: "we're happy to say what we've said".

The Guardian

But the publication today of another tranche of management expenses suggests its most senior executives are increasingly parsimonious, at least when it comes to claiming back taxis, hotels and meals.

The Guardian

Banning gay people from using the word "marriage" suggests they are less worthy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggests", consider the strength of the evidence. If the evidence is strong, consider using a more definitive verb like "proves" or "demonstrates". If the evidence is weak, "implies" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "suggests" when the evidence clearly proves something. Overstating the implication weakens the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suggests" is that of a verb, specifically the third-person singular present indicative form. It's used to indicate that something implies or points towards a particular fact or idea. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in conveying indications based on evidence or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suggests" functions as a versatile verb, primarily used to indicate an implication or a hint. As shown by Ludwig, it is common across various sources, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. When writing, be mindful of the strength of the evidence and avoid overstating the implication. For alternatives, consider using words such as "indicates" or "implies" for subtly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicates

Emphasizes a more direct pointing out or showing of something.

implies

Focuses on hinting or conveying something indirectly without explicitly stating it.

hints at

Conveys a subtle suggestion or clue.

points to

Directs attention towards a particular conclusion or piece of evidence.

indicates that

A more formal variation of "indicates", often used in academic or professional contexts.

proposes

Offers an idea or plan for consideration.

posits

Introduces an idea as a basis for reasoning or discussion.

argues

Presents a case or provides reasoning to support a particular viewpoint.

recommends

Advises a particular course of action or choice.

alludes to

Makes an indirect reference or mention of something.

FAQs

How to use "suggests" in a sentence?

You can use "suggests" to indicate a possibility or a hint based on available evidence. For example, "The data suggests a correlation between exercise and mental health".

What can I say instead of "suggests"?

You can use alternatives like "indicates", "implies", or "points to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "suggests" or "suggest"?

"Suggests" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "suggest", used when the subject is singular (e.g., "The study suggests"). "Suggest" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The studies suggest") or when making a suggestion (e.g., "I suggest we leave early").

What's the difference between "suggests" and "recommends"?

"Suggests" implies a possibility or indication, while "recommends" actively advises a specific course of action. For example, "The data suggests a problem" vs. "The doctor recommends medication".