UNIT 6
Lesson 2
Making suggestions
● There are several ways that we can make suggestions, either directly or indirectly. We can do this directly by putting forward an idea, that is, by making a statement.
Let’s book the tickets today.
This approach invites a response, such as simple agreement or the putting forward of a different suggestion.
That’s a great idea!
Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
No, that's too slow. Let's fly.
● When we make direct suggestions, the verb form used is the infinitive.
Let’s go camping in Wadi Rum.
Let’s book the holiday.
● We can make suggestions indirectly in the form of a question that is really a disguised proposal.
Why don’t we visit somewhere different this year?
How about going to Canada?
Shall we go to Canada this year?
● When we make indirect suggestions through questions, different verb forms are used – either the infinitive or the -ing form.
Why don’t we go skiing in Lebanon?
How about going on holiday to Jordan?
Shall we go mountain climbing in Switzerland?
Will / Won’t and shall
● We use will and won’t + infinitive to talk about future plans.
We will hire a car.
You won’t have time to visit Toronto.
● We use shall to make suggestions or ask questions.
We shall meet so that I show you my photographs.
Shall I call you when I get home?
● We put will (or shall) before the subject to form the interrogative.
Will they take the train?
Shall we take a guidebook?
● To ask questions about the future, we may put a question word at the beginning of the question.
How will you travel to Malaysia?
How shall we manage without money?
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Making suggestions |
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Directly |
Indirectly (questions) |
The form of the verb |
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Let’s book the holiday.
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Why don’t we go skiing in Lebanon? How about going on holiday to Jordan? Shall we go mountain climbing in Switzerland? |
infinitive
the -ing form
infinitive
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Will / Won’t and shall |
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Future plans
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suggestions or ask questions |
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We will hire a car. You won’t have time to visit Toronto. |
We shall meet so that I show you my photographs. Shall I call you when I get home?
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