MAKING SUGGESTIONS AND COUNTER SUGGESTIONS

MAKING SUGGESTIONS There are a number of expressions used when making suggestions. Here are some of the most common:
Why don't you / we go to the movies tonight? You / we could visit New York while you're / we're there. Let's go to the travel agent's this afternoon to book our ticket. What about asking your brother for help? How about going to Hawaii for your vacation? I suggest you / we take all the factors into consideration before we decide.

How to construct?
Formula We / You could go to a movie. Let's go to a movie. What about going to a movie? How about going to a movie? Verb Form Use the base form of the verb in a statement Use the base form of the verb with 'let's' Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Use the '-ing' form of the verb in a question Why don't you / we go to a movie? Use the base form of the verb in a question

I suggest you / we go to a movie. Use suggest object verb in the base form in a statement.

COUNTER-SUGGESTIONS We counter a suggestion when we disagree to someone or when we want to give other suggestions. Here are a number of useful phrases used when disagreeing or expressing another opinion.
I wouldn't do that. I would... But if we... I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. Don't get me wrong, ... Even so, if... Don't forget that... Very true, but... Examples: 1. I wouldn't do that. I'd speak to the teacher first and see what she says. 2. But if we don't make those investments, we'll risk losing market share. 3. Don't get me wrong, I just think we should look at some other options before making a decision. 4. Even so, if we change classes this late, we might not get a passing grade. 5. Don't forget that we you still need to finish all your homework BEFORE you can do that. 6. Very true, but we still need to get the garden in shape before building a new deck. GIVING ADVICE

There are occasions where we give advice instead of suggestions. There are a number of formulas used when giving advice. Here are some of the most common: I don't think you should work so hard. You ought to work less. You ought not to work so hard. If I were you, I'd work less. If I were in your position, I'd work less. If I were in your shoes, I'd work less. You had better work less. You shouldn't work so hard. Whatever you do, don't work so hard. Example of making suggestions and counter suggestions. What shall we do? 1. Hi Shukri, would you like to do something with me this weekend? 2. Sure. What shall we do? 1. I don't know. Do you have any ideas? 2. Why don't we see a film? 1. That's sounds good to me. Which film shall we see? 2. Let's see "Too Fast Too Furious 5". 1. I'd rather not. I don't like violent films. How about going to "Kung Fu Panda 2"? I hear it's quite a funny film. 2. OK. Let's go see that. When is it on? 1. It's on at 8 o'clock at the TGV. Shall we have a bite to eat before the film? 2. Sure, that sounds great. What about going to 'McD'? 1. Great idea! Let's meet there at six. 2. OK. I'll see you at 'McD' at six. Bye. 1. Bye. Note: 'Shall we', 'Let's', 'Why don't we' are all followed by the base form of the verb ('go' in the examples), 'How about' and 'What about' are followed by the '-ing' form of the verb 'going' in the examples.

CONVERSATION PRACTICE With a partner, practice making suggestions in the following situations: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Help your partner decide which item to buy. Warn your partner against doing something. Suggest that your partner change his/her plans. Help your partner make up his/her mind. Suggest doing an activity together.

Sample conversations:

A: B: A: B: A: B: A: B:

Should I buy the Porsche or the Ferrari? I think you should buy the Ferrari. Why is that? Because I'd like to borrow it. Why don't you give Daphne a call? Good idea. I haven't seen her for a while. Maybe you should ask her out. Hmmm. I'll think about it.

Group Work Activity! Aim: Building reading comprehension and advice giving skills / focus on modal verb 'should' and modal verbs of deduction Activity: Reading about teenage problems followed by group work Outline: 1. Start off the lesson by asking students to suggest what type of problems teenagers typically may have. 2. Use one of the problems mentioned and inductively review modal verbs of deduction by asking questions such as, "What must have happened to the boy?", "Do you think he might have lied to his parents?", etc. 3. Ask students for advice on what the person should do (reviewing the modal verb 'should'). 4. Have students get into small groups (four or five students). 5. Distribute the handout with the various teen problems taken from real life. Assign one (or two) situations to each group. 6. Have the students answer the questions as a group. Ask students to use the same forms as given in the questions (i.e. "What might he have thought? - ANSWER: He might have thought it was too difficult.") 7. Students should then use the sheet to report back to the class actively using the modal verb 'should' to give advice. 8. As a follow-up exercise or homework: - Ask students to write about a problem they have had. - Students should not write their names on their short problem description - Distribute the problems to other students - Have students answer the questions about the situation described by on of their classmates - Ask students to verbally give recommendations