Guide to Suggestions and Proposals in English – TOEIC® Preparation

To achieve an excellent TOEIC® score, it is essential to master the structures used to suggest, propose, or invite in English. This guide explores the main modals and idiomatic expressions used to formulate proposals or encourage someone to act.

1. “Should” to Express a Strong Recommendation

The modal “should” is used to formulate strong advice or a firm recommendation. It is one of the most frequent structures in English when you want to guide someone toward a specific action.

• You should take a rest; you seem really tired.(Tu devrais te reposer ; tu sembles vraiment fatigué.)
• Should we double-check the document before submission?(Devrions-nous vérifier le document une seconde fois avant de le soumettre ?)
• You shouldn't work late every night if you want to stay productive.(Tu ne devrais pas travailler tard chaque soir si tu veux rester productif.)

You can consult the course on expressing advice for the TOEIC® here.

2. “Could” to Formulate a Nuanced Suggestion

The modal “could” allows you to propose an idea in a more subtle or less directive way than should. It introduces a possibility or a simple option, without an imperative dimension.

• We could organize a call next Monday to review the strategy.(On pourrait organiser un appel lundi prochain pour réviser la stratégie.)
• Could we reschedule our appointment to discuss the contract?(Pourrait-on reprogrammer notre rendez-vous pour discuter du contrat ?)

3. “Would” to Put Forward a Polite Proposal

To propose something or formally invite someone, we use the modal “would,” especially in the phrase “Would you like…?”

• I would propose we pause for a few minutes before resuming.(Je proposerais que nous marquions une pause de quelques minutes avant de reprendre.)
• Would you like to come with us for dinner?(Aimeriez-vous/Aimerais-tu nous accompagner pour dîner ?)
• I would advise consulting your supervisor beforehand.(Je conseillerais de consulter ton superviseur au préalable.)

4. “Shall” to Make a Formal Proposal

The modal “shall” is mainly used in the first person (I/we) to propose something formally or to request a directive. It is therefore found mostly in interrogative structures.

It is less common in contemporary American English but remains frequent in formal contexts or to lend a certain elegance to the speech, particularly in British English.

• Shall we get some food delivered for the team?(Et si on faisait livrer de la nourriture pour l'équipe ?)
• Shall I arrange transportation for you?(Voulez-vous que j'organise le transport pour vous ?)

5. “Let's” to Propose a Collective Action

Let's (contracted form of let us) is a very spontaneous and direct way to make a proposal that includes both the speaker and the listener.

• Let's take a short break and resume in fifteen minutes.(Prenons une courte pause et reprenons dans quinze minutes.)
• Let's not overlook the deadline for the client proposal.(N'oublions pas la date limite pour la proposition client.)

6. “Why don't we/you … ” to Suggest an Action

This construction is widely used in English to put forward an idea or encourage someone to act. It remains friendly while being less categorical than should.

• Collective Suggestion: Why don't we + base verb?
  • Why don't we try the new café downtown this evening?

(Pourquoi n'essayerions-nous pas le nouveau café en centre-ville ce soir ?)

• Individual Suggestion: Why don't you + base verb?
  • Why don't you bring this concern up with your team leader?

(Pourquoi ne soulèverais-tu pas cette préoccupation avec ton chef d'équipe ?)

7. “How / What about … ” to Submit an Idea

The expressions “How about + noun/verb ending in -ing” and “What about + noun/verb ending in -ing” are simple and casual ways to propose an option or ask for someone's opinion. They signal that you wish to submit an alternative and know your listener's reaction.

• How about opening the meeting with a quick recap?(Que diriez-vous d'ouvrir la réunion par un bref récapitulatif ?)
• What about taking a stroll during the lunch hour?(Que dirais-tu de faire une promenade pendant l'heure du déjeuner ?)
• How about some coffee before we start working?(Que diriez-vous d'un café avant de commencer à travailler ?)

8. “Would you like…?” to Invite Politely

The expression “Would you like…?” is used to formulate a courteous and professional invitation.

• Would you like to participate in our brainstorming session?(Voudriez-vous participer à notre session de brainstorming ?)
• Would you like any assistance with the financial report?(Aimeriez-vous de l'aide pour le rapport financier ?)
• Would you like to be involved in the upcoming campaign?(Souhaitez-vous être impliqué dans la campagne à venir ?)

Conclusion

Remember that every modal and every expression serves a specific function: should for firm recommendations, could for softened suggestions, would for courteous proposals, and let's to directly involve your listener.

The essential thing is to always adapt your choice to the context and the required degree of formality. This summary table is designed to help you memorize these structures and avoid common mistakes!

Summary Table: Modals and Structures for Suggesting or Proposing

Key Points to Remember About Suggestions and Proposals

1. You must select the appropriate structure according to the context:
   • Formal Register: Would you like to…?, Shall we…?, Should we…?
     • Frequently used in the professional environment (meetings, interviews, corporate emails), where politeness and clarity are essential.
   • Neutral / Standard Register: Let's…, Why don't we…?, Could we…?
     • Suitable for daily use in business, among colleagues or partners who collaborate regularly.
   • Informal Register: How about…?, What about…?
     • Used mainly between friends or close colleagues; however, these phrases remain perfectly acceptable in a relaxed professional setting.
2. Should conveys a stronger recommendation than could.
3. In English, you place the modal at the beginning of the sentence to form a question
   • Should we…?, Could we…?, etc.
4. Avoid combining two modals in the same sentence
   • We should could discuss it is incorrect.
5. After a modal, the verb always remains in the bare infinitive form (exception: after would like, use to + verb).

Other Courses on Modals

To deepen your mastery of modals, you can consult our various courses on the subject:

• 🔗 Overview of Modals for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Ability for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Permission for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Obligation for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Prohibition for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Advice for the TOEIC®
• 🔗 Guide to Expressing Intention or Near Future for the TOEIC®

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