suggests that

USAGE SUMMARY

'suggests that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to introduce a statement that someone has said, implying that the statement may be true. For example: John's friends suggested that he move to the city for better job opportunities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Experience suggests that is misleading.

The New York Times

This specimen suggests that is not true.

The Economist

History suggests that is a mistake.

The Economist

However, IDC suggests that would be premature.

BBC

Experience suggests that it will.

The Economist

Edgar suggests that Clyde dance.

The New Yorker

Dismayed, he suggests that yes, there would.

Independent

Jules Van Cruysen suggests that it can.

The New York Times

The mood music suggests that he is.

The Guardian - Business

The evidence suggests that it does.

The Economist

This suggests that surroundings do indeed matter.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suggests that" when you want to introduce an idea or conclusion that is based on evidence but not definitively proven. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "suggests that" when the evidence is conclusive. Opt for stronger verbs like "proves" or "demonstrates" to reflect the definitive nature of the evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggests that" functions as a verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause. It connects a subject (an observation, evidence, or study) to a proposition, indicating a reasoned inference or a tentative conclusion. Ludwig shows many examples across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suggests that" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce reasoned inferences or tentative conclusions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a commonly employed phrase across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While adaptable, it is important to use it when the evidence is not conclusive and avoid stronger verbs if that is the case. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "indicates that" or "implies that" to fine-tune the level of certainty you wish to convey. The writing guidance and FAQs provided offer practical tips to use "suggests that" effectively and avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicates that

Emphasizes a more direct and less speculative connection than "suggests that".

deduces that

Highlights arriving at a conclusion by logical reasoning from given premises or evidence.

implies that

Focuses on the indirect communication of an idea or conclusion.

infers that

Highlights the act of drawing a logical conclusion from the available evidence.

points to

Suggests direction or a trend, often used when evidence leads to a specific conclusion.

postulates that

Presents an idea or theory put forward as a basis for reasoning or discussion.

hints at

Indicates a subtle or veiled suggestion, less direct than "suggests that".

leads one to believe that

Highlights the subjective interpretation or inference drawn from the evidence.

conjectures that

Expresses a conclusion or opinion formed on incomplete information.

presumes that

Indicates an assumption made based on probability or previous experience.

FAQs

How to use "suggests that" in a sentence?

Use "suggests that" to introduce an idea or conclusion that is based on evidence but not definitively proven. For example: "The data "suggests that" there is a correlation between exercise and improved mood".

What can I say instead of "suggests that"?

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

Which is correct, "suggests that" or "suggests to"?

"Suggests that" is the correct phrase to use when introducing a proposition or idea. "Suggests to" is used when someone is making a suggestion directly to someone else. For example, "He suggests to her that they go to the movies".

What's the difference between "suggests that" and "implies that"?

"Suggests that" indicates that something gives reason to believe a certain conclusion, while "implies that" means that the conclusion is conveyed indirectly or without being explicitly stated. The evidence "suggests that" action must be taken while actions can "imply that" there is a hidden meaning.