what does it suggest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what does it suggest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking for an interpretation or implication of a statement, idea, or situation. Example: "The results of the survey were surprising; what does it suggest about our customers' preferences?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"What does it suggest to you?" the goodly man said, in predictable fashion.

The New Yorker

I believe that the whole career ladder concept is a very disruptive concept because what does it suggest?

The New York Times

My co-director Declan Donnellan and I always do a lot of dramaturgical work on the text: what does it suggest, what possibilities does it offer?

The Guardian

And when reporters asked him what this means for the relationship and what does it suggest about what the Pakistanis knew, he was certainly encouraging that those questions should be raised, and, you know, was just, under the surface, was smacking the Pakistanis around a little bit.

The New Yorker

Our paper, what does it suggest?

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Although the cover art is minimal, what tensions does it suggest are lurking under the superficially glossy surface of Margy's relationship with her husband, Eric?

The New Yorker

Although the cover art is minimal, what tensions does it suggest are lurking under the superficially glossy surface of Margy's relationship with her husband, Eric? 2. In your opinion, is this book fiction or nonfiction?

The New Yorker

What does it really suggest about the new nation and its principles?

Yale University

What new ideas does it suggest?

The Washington Post

The IFS calculations – contained in its paper "A single-tier pension: what does it really mean?" – suggest that 40 per cent of people reaching state-pension age between 2016 and 2020 will get under £135.

Independent

What does it prove and suggest?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what does it suggest", ensure the context provides a clear 'it' for reference to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Prices are falling, what does it suggest?", specify: "The fact that prices are falling, what does it suggest?"

Common error

Avoid using "what does it suggest" when you need a direct action or recommendation. "Suggest" implies inference, not instruction. If you need an instruction, ask "What should we do?" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it suggest" functions as an interrogative clause used to solicit an interpretation, implication, or inference from a given piece of information, observation, or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what does it suggest" is a versatile interrogative phrase employed to encourage analysis and extract meaning from a subject. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from news to academia. While frequently observed in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications, the phrase invites a deeper exploration of possible implications, rather than simply requesting a definition. For clarity and formality, consider swapping it out with alternatives like "what does it imply" or "what does it indicate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what does it imply

Replaces 'suggest' with 'imply', focusing on the indirect indication of something.

what does it indicate

Substitutes 'suggest' with 'indicate', highlighting the pointing out of something.

what does it mean

Replaces 'suggest' with 'mean', focusing on the core definition or significance.

what inference can be drawn from it

Focuses on the act of drawing a conclusion or making a deduction.

what conclusion can be reached

Highlights the act of arriving at a final judgment or decision.

what is the implication

Formal way to ask about the consequences or effects of something.

what is the significance of it

Asks about the importance or relevance of something.

what are we to make of it

Invites an interpretation or understanding of something.

how should we interpret it

Focuses on the method of understanding or explaining something.

what is it alluding to

Asks about the implied or indirect reference to something else.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what does it suggest" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "what does it imply", "what does it indicate", or "what inference can be drawn from it".

Is "what does it suggest" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "what does it suggest" is acceptable for academic writing, but consider using more precise alternatives like "what does it imply" or "what conclusions can be reached" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "what does it suggest" and "what does it mean"?

"What does it mean" asks for a direct definition or interpretation, while "what does it suggest" inquires about the implications or inferences one can draw. For example, "What does the word 'ubiquitous' mean?" versus "Prices are rising; "what does it suggest" about the economy?"

Can "what does it suggest" be used in business communication?

Yes, but ensure the context is clear. In business, precision is key, so alternatives like "what is the implication" or "what is the significance of it" might be more appropriate depending on the message.