MAKING SUGGESTIONS

WHAT ABOUT..? / HOW ABOUT..?

We can sometimes use "What about ..?" and "How about ..?" to make suggestions to people around. These
structures are commonly used in spoken English.
"What about ..?" and "How about ..?" have the same meaning.
We can use them with a gerund (verb + ing)
● How about a nice drink? or, How about having a nice drink?
● What about a short walk around the park? or, What about taking a short walk around the park?

We can also use ‘COULD’ in similar situations when we make a suggestion, or give advice on what someone might do
in a certain situation.

Making a suggestion We could go to the movies.

You could go to Albania for your vacation.
-What are we going to do this evening?
-Well, we could go to the cinema.

Giving advice You could visit Bournemouth while you're there.

- There is an interesting job advertised in the paper. You could apply for it.
- What sort of job? Show me the advertisement.

Suggestions (infinitive forms) Suggestions (-ing or noun forms)

Why don’t (subject)… ? What about …?
Shall (subject)… ? How about…?
Let’s … I suggest ….
I suggest (subject) … I recommend…
Would (subject) like to …

Why don’t we visit a museum? What about visiting a museum?

Shall we have a picnic? How about a picnic?
Let’s meet at the cinema. I suggest meeting at 4 o’clock.
I suggest we arrive early. I recommend taking a taxi.
Would you like to have coffee after class?

Offering Helps with ‘COULD’

We use the modal verbs can, could, shall and would to offer to do things for people.
Would you like…? Would you like some help?
Would you like someone to….? Would you like me to help you?
Can I….? Can I help you?
I could….. I could help if you need a hand.
Shall I….? Shall I open the window?

I could get you another coffee.

Yes please, that would be lovely." or, "Yes please, I'd love one."

I could do the photocopying, if you like."

"It's OK, I can do it." or, "Don't worry, I'll do it.
 Exercise 1

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogue below and answer the questions.

 Matt and Zach are in the office.

Matt: Hey, Zach! Do you want to hang out after work?

Zach: Sure, why not? What shall we do?

Matt: I don’t know. What do you have in mind?

Zach: Why don’t we go to the movies?

Matt: I'm not sure about that, to be honest. The weather is so beautiful, and we've been inside all day. How about
trying new roof-top restaurant that just opened?

Zach: That sounds like a good idea. I hear they have amazing views.

Matt: Me too. Someone told me it can be hard to get a table though.

Zach: Then what about sneaking out of work a little bit early, so we can get one.

Matt: I don't think that's a good idea. The boss has been so strict lately.

Zach: Okay, fine. But if we can't get a table at the restaurant, we're going to the movies instead.

Matt: That's fair. Meet you in the lobby at 5:00 pm? We can walk there together.

Zach: Sounds good. I'll see you then.

 Check your understanding:

1. What did Matt ask Zach?

2. What was Zach's suggestion?

3. Why didn't Matt want to go to the movies?

Exercise 2

Write a suggestion for each conversation below using What about ..? / How about ..? structures.

● Harry and Ginny are waiting for the bus after class.

Harry: _____________________________________________________________?

Ginny: Not today, I’m too tired. Why not tomorrow?

Harry : Fine.

● Cho and Luna are walking in the mountains. After two hours:

Cho : _____________________________________________________________?

I’m quite tired.

Luna: Yeah, I’m tired too. Let’s sit on those rocks over there.
 ● Molly and Arthur’s children are on school holiday next week.

Molly: _____________________________________________________________?

Arthur: Yes, it would be great to be with the kids. I have meetings on Monday and Friday, but I should be able to take
Wednesday off. Is that OK with you?

Molly: Wednesday? Yes, perfect!

Exercise 3

Fill in the blanks with Shall / How about / What about / Let’s / Why don’t / Would you like to, etc.

1) Hey Jim, _____________________________________ go to the movies with us?

2) So, we all want Italian, right? _____________________________________ going that restaurant near the beach?

3) What can we do this evening? _____________________________________we watch the game in a bar?

4) A: It’s so hot in here!

B: __________________________________ get out of here and go that bar near the bay!

5) Helen called and said she’s going for a walk. __________________________________ going with her?

6) I’d like to do something different this weekend. __________________________________ go sailing!

7) A: What shall we do?

B: I don’t know... It’s not very warm and it looks as if it’s going to start raining.
__________________________________ a play? I think there’s a new one in the auditorium.

8) A: Next month we have some days off. Is there anything special you want to do?

B: Yes!! _______________________________go to Madrid! The Cirque du Soleil’s new show will be there that week!

9) It’s warm and sunny, __________________________________ go roller-skating!

10) A: Would you like to go shopping on Saturday?

B: I can’t, I don’t have much money right now. __________________________________ hiking? The weather is
really nice and it’s cheaper!

Exercise 4: With a partner, practice making suggestions with ‘could’ in the following situations.

Situation 1

Speaker A: You love movies and you can’t wait to see the new action film this weekend.
Speaker B: You hate action films and would rather do something different (outside if possible). You love any type of
sport and would be willing to go to the skate park, ride bikes or do any other activity which involves movement.

Both Speakers: Try to come to some type of agreement that suits both of you.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Situation 2

Speaker A: You have a girlfriend (boyfriend) who you like very much. The problem is you can never agree on things to
do in the afternoon. It’s a hot day, 90 degrees and you feel like going to the pool. Your significant other can’t stand
swimming and would rather be anywhere else.
Speaker B: You like your gf/bf but don’t really like swimming very much. You prefer to be somewhere indoors,
maybe at a movie or at a friend’s house in the air conditioning.

Both Speakers: Try to come to some type of agreement that suits both of you.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 5
Complete the gaps with the correct phrases.

How about Sure Let’s We could Why don’t we

have any ideas Shall we

A: I’m bored. Would you like to do something this afternoon?

B. ____________(1). What shall we do?
A: I don’t know. Do you ______________(2)?
A: Well, ______________(3) go to the cinema?
B: That sounds good. Which film shall we see?
A: ______________ (4) watching a horror film?
B: I don’t like watching horror films. ______________(5) watch the new Star Trek film. I hear it is good.
A: OK. What time is it on?
B: It’s on at 3 o’clock. ______________(6) get some food before the film?
A: Sure. ______________(7) go to the new Thai restaurant on the high street.
B: Good idea. Let’s leave at half past one.

Exercise 6: Make some offers with ‘could’ in these situations below.

1. You are on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat
You: ___________________________________________________
Man: Oh. That’s very kind of you. Thank you so much.

2. Paul has come to see you in your flat. You offer him something to eat.
You: ______________________________________________________.
Paul: No, thank you. I’ve just eaten.

3. A friend of yours is interested in one of your books. You invite him to borrow it.
Friend: This looks very interesting.
You: Yes, it’s a good book. _____________________________________.

Exercise 7: Match the two sentence halves and write a – e next to the number 1 – 5.

1. __ Would you like to come for lunch this a. That would be great. I would appreciate it if he can help
weekend? me.

2. __ I could lend you £100 if you want.
3. __ Can I get you a cup of coffee?
4.__ Would you like me to ask my brother about the
job advertisement?
b. Well, actually, my mum’s not feeling well. Maybe another
time.
c. That’s very kind of you. I’m in need of money nowadays.
d. No, I’m OK, thanks, I’ve just had one.

5. __ Shall I shut the door if you are cold? e. Oh, yes please. I’m freezing.