What's new on IELTS with Fiona

'SUGGEST' causes so many problems that I'm tempted to suggest that my students avoid using it.

Look at this IELTS teacher's advice on LinkedIN - can you see the problem with 'suggest'?

The problem is the verb pattern of 'suggest'.

You CANNOT say:

❌ "Students are* suggested* to* learn......".❌

The reason for this mistake is that there are other verbs that follow this pattern (with different meanings).

For example:

• "Students are ADVISED to learn...."
• "Students are ENCOURAGED to learn...."
• "Students are SUPPOSED to learn...."
• "Students are EXPECTED to learn..."
• "Students are REQUIRED to learn..."

Here's how 'suggest' works:

1. "It is suggested that students learn....."

This is very formal.

2. "I suggest that students learn..."

Less formal but still formal.

3. "Students should learn....."

This avoids the use of 'suggest' and is much less formal.

Also:

• "I suggest that you learn....."
• "I suggest learning...."
• "Can you suggest how to learn...?"
• "Can you suggest a good restaurant?"

Other common mistakes:

• Can you suggest me* a good restaurant?