they suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

"they suggest" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
Example: They suggest that students should study for at least two hours every day to improve their grades.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They suggest opposing food philosophies.

The New Yorker

They suggest it pretty emphatically.

The New Yorker

They suggest vintage camisoles.

The New York Times - Style

They suggest sharing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They suggest subversive truths.

The New York Times - Books

They suggest a failure of civilisation.

Independent

They suggest "pesification at the margin".

The Economist

What kinds of things did they suggest?

The New Yorker

Resistance, they suggest, will lead to escalation.

The Economist

But they suggest a growing problem.

The Economist

They suggest a rate of 6.7%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they suggest", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they suggest" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure the reader knows exactly who is making the suggestion to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they suggest" typically functions as the main verb in a sentence, expressing the act of offering an idea, recommendation, or proposal. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction adheres to standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they suggest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase primarily functioning as a main verb to introduce recommendations, advice, or proposals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is deemed correct. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its formality ranges from neutral to formal. For clarity, ensure "they" has a clear referent. Consider alternatives like "they propose" or "they recommend" for nuanced expressions. Overall, this phrase is a versatile tool for conveying suggestions and recommendations across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they propose

Slightly more formal than "they suggest".

they recommend

Emphasizes guidance or advice.

they advise

Similar to recommend but with a stronger implication of expertise.

they imply

Focuses on indirect communication rather than explicit statements.

they indicate

Highlights a pointing-out function, often based on evidence.

they posit

More formal and academic, suggesting a theory or hypothesis.

they hypothesize

Specifically indicates a tentative explanation or assumption.

they put forward

Emphasizes the act of presenting an idea or proposal.

they advance

Highlights progress or development of an idea or argument.

they offer

Suggests a contribution or provision of information.

FAQs

What does "they suggest" mean?

The phrase "they suggest" means that a group of people is putting forward an idea, recommendation, or piece of advice. It implies that the group is not necessarily stating something as a fact, but rather offering a possible course of action or interpretation.

What can I say instead of "they suggest"?

You can use alternatives like "they propose", "they recommend", or "they advise" depending on the context. These alternatives offer slightly different nuances but convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "they suggest that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "they suggest that", followed by a clause explaining what they are suggesting. The "that" is often optional but can improve clarity, especially in complex sentences.

What's the difference between "they suggest" and "they state"?

While both phrases indicate communication, "they suggest" implies a recommendation or a non-definitive assertion, whereas "they state" indicates a more direct and firm declaration of a fact or opinion.