FUNCTIONS:

Agreeing

Disagreeing

Hesitating

Introducing your opinion

Asking for opinions

Expressing preferences

Asking for clarification

Expressing likelihood

Speculating, guessing

Advice and recommendations

Describing a picture

Agreeing

I think you’re right

I would go along with the idea

I completely agree with you

That makes perfect sense

You have a point there

Absolutely, that’s spot on!

I couldn’t agree more

Disagreeing

That’s not how I see it

I couldn’t agree less

You must be kidding

That’s a ridiculous idea, don’t you think?

With all due respect, I must disagree

I’m afraid I can’t see it that way

No way, that’s nonsense!

Hesitating

I’m in two minds about it

I have some reservations regarding that

I’m not entirely convinced

There’s something that gives me pause

While I’m not entirely opposed, I do have some doubts

Introducing your opinion

To my mind

I reckon

In my opinion

As I see it

It seems to me

I would argue

From my point of view

Asking for opinions

Don’t you think …?

What’s your attitude to …?

What’s your opinion of …?

Are you in favour of …?

What’s your position as regards …?

You don’t support …, do you?

Expressing preferences

I prefer…

I would rather…

My preference would be…

I tend to favour…

If I had to choose, I would…

I lean towards…

I am inclined to…

I’m a big fan of…

I really enjoy…

I’m into…

I absolutely love…

I’m crazy about…

I’m fond of…

It’s right up my alley

It’s my thing

I can’t get enough of…

It appeals to me

It’s growing on me

I wouldn’t miss it for the world

I’m not a big fan of…

I don’t really enjoy…

I’m not into…

I can’t stand…

I’m not fond of…

It’s not my cup of tea

It doesn’t do anything for me

I’m sick of…

It gets on my nerves

It puts me off

I’d rather not…

It leaves me cold…

Asking for clarification

Could you please elaborate on that?

Would you mind explaining that further?

I’m not quite sure I understand. Could you clarify?

Could you provide more details?

Can you expand on that point?

Expressing likelihood

“It’s a foregone conclusion that…”

“There’s no doubt in my mind that…”

“I am almost certain that…”

“It’s highly likely that…”

“Chances are that…”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if…”

“It’s possible that…”

“There’s a chance that…”

“It’s unlikely that…”

“I doubt that…”

Speculating, guessing

“It seems to me that…”

“My gut feeling is that…”

“From what I gather…”

“If I were to guess…”

“It would appear that…”

“I reckon that…”

“I suspect that…”

“In all likelihood…”

“There’s a distinct possibility that…”

“It’s plausible that…”

Advice and recommendations

“You might want to consider…”

“Perhaps you could try…”

“If I were you, I would…”

“One thing you could do is…”

“Have you thought of…”

“May I suggest…”

“It might be beneficial to…”

“Consider this approach…”

“Why not give this a go…”

“If it were up to me, I’d…”

Describing a picture

“In the foreground…”

“In the background…”

“In the center of the image…”

“On the left side of the picture…”

“On the right side of the picture…”

“At the top of the picture…”

“At the bottom of the picture…”

“The picture depicts…”

“The image illustrates…”

“The photograph shows…”

“One can see…”

“Notice how…”

“This scene captures…”

“This photograph highlights…”

DICTIONARY

Add new and interesting words from this lesson to your English dictionary.

Store your words and expressions in this handy dictionary. You can create groups and play games based on your entries. There is also a practical importing feature.

You must log in to see content.

Sorry, but lessons on The Blue Tree work only on a computer or a tablet.

Bardzo mi przykro, ale lekcje na platformie The Blue Tree działają jedynie na komputerze lub tablecie.

Do zobaczenia na większym ekranie 🙂

Zespół The Blue Tree

Giving suggestions and recommendations
Learn more words

THE BLUE TREE

Everyday English

CEF B1

CEFR B1

Intermediate

warm up

Discuss these questions.

TRANSCRIPT

Oh, getting lost? Not my favourite, but it happens, right? Honestly, I’m a bit on the fence about asking for directions. I mean, yeah, I’ll ask if I really need to, but there’s just something about trying to figure it out on my own first. You know, like a mini adventure in the middle of London. But don’t get me wrong, if I’m really scratching my head, I’ll swallow my pride and ask someone. Most people are proper helpful, anyway.

TRANSCRIPT

Ah, being told what to do? Not really my cup of tea, to be honest. I get that sometimes people are just trying to be helpful, and I appreciate that, really. But, you know, I like to figure things out on my own, make my own decisions. It’s kinda important for me to feel like I’m in charge of my own life, you know? If someone’s advice comes from a good place, I’ll listen, maybe take it on board. But at the end of the day, I prefer to call my own shots.

TRANSCRIPT

Yeah, I like to think I’m pretty decent at giving advice and suggestions. You know, I’ve been around the block a few times, had my share of ups and downs. So, when friends come to me with something they’re going through, I feel good being able to share what I’ve learned, maybe help them see things from a different angle. I try to listen first, really understand where they’re coming from. Then, I’ll share my thoughts, but I always make it clear it’s just my perspective. At the end of the day, it’s their call. I just hope I can help them feel a bit more sorted about whatever it is they’re dealing with.

part one

Suggesting in speech

Study the ways of giving suggestions and recommendations.

Notice the form of verbs that follow ‘suggestion’ words.

1. I recommend … (doing)

General English: I recommend visiting the new art exhibition downtown; it’s really impressive.
Business English: I recommend scheduling the meeting for Friday afternoon when everyone is available.

2. I suggest … (doing)

General English: I suggest trying the Italian restaurant on Maple Street; their pasta is amazing.
Business English: I suggest reviewing the quarterly sales report in detail before making any major decisions.

3. If I were you, I would … (do)

General English: If I were you, I would take a few days off to rest and recharge.
Business English: If I were you, I would prioritize the most critical tasks first to ensure they are completed on time.

4. My advice would be to … (do)

General English: My advice would be to start your assignments early to avoid last-minute stress.
Business English: My advice would be to consult with the finance department before finalizing the budget.

5. Have you thought of … (doing)

General English: Have you thought of joining the local gym to stay fit and healthy?
Business English: Have you thought of using project management software to streamline our workflow?

6. Why don’t you … (do)

General English: Why don’t you take a walk in the park to clear your mind?
Business English: Why don’t you draft a preliminary proposal for the client to review?

7. How about … (somebody do)

General English: How about we watch a movie tonight?
Business English: How about we schedule a brainstorming session to generate new ideas?

8. It might be a good idea to … (do)

General English: It might be a good idea to save some money for unexpected expenses.
Business English: It might be a good idea to schedule a meeting with the team to discuss the project timeline.

8. You’d be better off if you … (did)

General English: You’d be better off if you focused on your studies instead of partying all the time.
Business English: You’d be better off if you addressed these issues directly with the client to avoid misunderstandings.

9. On no account … (inversion, ex. On no account should you do …)

General English: On no account should you leave your belongings unattended in a public place.
Business English: On no account should you share confidential information with unauthorized personnel.

10. You would do well … (to do)

General English: You would do well to listen to their advice and learn from their experience.
Business English: You would do well to prepare a detailed report before presenting your findings to the board.

11. Perhaps we could … (do)

General English: Perhaps we could invite some friends over for dinner this weekend.
Business English: Perhaps we could collaborate with the marketing team to develop a comprehensive campaign.

12. Shall we … (do)

General English: Shall we go for a coffee after work?
Business English: Shall we review the contract together to ensure we haven’t missed anything?

VERB PATTERNS

Play this Multidecker flashcard game. Decide what should be the verb pattern of the verbs and expressions on the cards.

part two

Suggesting in WRITING

Study the ways of giving suggestions and recommendations in business reports and emails.

Notice the form of verbs that follow ‘suggestion’ words.

SAMPLE EMAILS

email 1

Subject: Advice on Improving Client Retention Strategy

Dear Marta,

Thanks for sharing your draft plan to improve client retention. I’ve looked through your proposal, and I think you’re on the right track. I’d like to offer a few suggestions for further improvement:

  • You might want to consider segmenting your clients based on their value and engagement level. This could help us tailor our approach more effectively.

  • It might be a good idea to send personalized follow-up emails after each project is completed.

  • I suggest involving the sales team earlier in the onboarding process to build stronger initial relationships.

Let me know what you think. I’m happy to discuss this in more detail.

Best regards,
Tomasz

email 2

📧 Email 2 – Formal Tone (to a client or senior manager)

Subject: Strategic Input on Your Expansion Plan

Dear Mr. Kowalski,

Thank you for sharing your outline regarding the potential expansion into the Baltic region. I have reviewed your proposal and would like to offer several recommendations for your consideration:

  • You may wish to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment focused on local regulatory frameworks. This would ensure full compliance before any commitments are made.

  • It would be advisable to initiate preliminary discussions with local partners to gauge market interest and potential synergies.

  • Might I suggest arranging a workshop with our regional specialists to explore logistical challenges and customer behavior trends?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss any of these points in more detail.

Kind regards,
Anna Nowak
Business Strategy Consultant

email 3

📧 Email 3 – Informal/Neutral Tone (between colleagues)

Subject: Quick Thoughts on the Marketing Campaign

Hey Kasia,

Just had a look at your draft for the new campaign — great work! It’s shaping up nicely. I do have a few suggestions that might help fine-tune things:

  • Why don’t we run a short A/B test first to see which message performs better?

  • Have you thought of reaching out to the social media team? They might have fresh data on recent engagement trends.

  • You could also try simplifying the call to action — right now it’s a bit wordy, and a snappier version might get more clicks.

Let me know what you think. Happy to chat later this week if you want to brainstorm!

Cheers,
Ola

SAMPLE REPORTS

REPORT 1

📊 Example Report – Making Recommendations to Management

Title: Recommendations for Enhancing Internal Communication

To: Senior Management
From: Internal Communications Consultant
Date: April 9, 2025
Subject: Internal Communication Strategy – Recommendations


Executive Summary:

This report outlines several recommendations to improve internal communication within our organization. These suggestions are based on employee feedback collected during the Q1 engagement survey.


Recommendations:

  1. I recommend implementing a bi-weekly internal newsletter, summarizing key updates, upcoming events, and team highlights. This would increase transparency and foster a stronger sense of inclusion.

  2. My advice would be to create a digital “suggestion box”, allowing employees to submit ideas or concerns anonymously.

  3. You would do well to introduce regular all-hands meetings where leadership shares updates and answers employee questions live.

  4. It might be a good idea to assign communication champions in each department to ensure important messages are delivered consistently.


Conclusion:

Adopting these measures can enhance transparency, improve morale, and increase alignment across teams. I’m available to support the implementation process if needed.

REPORT 2

📊 Report Fragment 2 – Formal Style

Section Title: Recommendations for Optimizing Remote Work Policy

Based on our findings, the following actions are recommended to enhance the effectiveness of the remote work policy:

  • It is recommended that management introduce a structured feedback system, allowing employees to regularly report on their remote work experiences and challenges.

  • We advise establishing clear performance metrics tailored specifically to remote roles to ensure accountability and fairness.

  • Consider providing additional training on digital collaboration tools, as survey results indicate uneven usage across departments.

Implementing these measures could lead to increased productivity, clearer communication, and improved employee satisfaction.

REPORT 3

📊 Report Fragment 3 – Less Formal but Professional

Section Title: Suggestions for Improving Team Onboarding

After reviewing recent onboarding feedback, a few practical ideas came up that might help improve the process:

  • You might want to think about assigning a buddy to each new hire, at least for their first month. It would help them settle in faster and feel more supported.

  • It could also be helpful to shorten the initial training sessions and spread them out over the first two weeks — people often feel overwhelmed with too much information at once.

  • Another suggestion is to include a short welcome video from the CEO, which could add a personal touch and make new employees feel more connected to the company’s values.

These simple changes could make the onboarding experience smoother and more engaging for new team members.

‘SUGGESTING’ QUIZ

Do this quiz to learn and memorize the verb pattern with ‘suggesting’words.

1) I recommend ...
2) If I were you, I would ...
3) How about ...
4) You could ...
5) It might be a good idea to ...
6) You’d be better off if you ...

7) I suggest ...
8) Why don’t you ...
9) Perhaps we could ...
10) My advice would be to ...


Well done! You're almost there!

11) You would do well ...
12) On no account ...

FREE PRACTICE

IF I WERE YOU

What advice would you give to your friend in these ten situations?

I come from a family of doctors. Everyone expects me to be a doctor too. I don’t want to become a doctor. I want to be a teacher. 

I am sharing my office with a guy who has a terrible allergy. He keeps using all my tissues and never brings his own. 

I have been invited to a job interview. It will take place in some fancy restaurant. I don’t have the right clothes for the occasion and I’m hard-up at the moment.

The clerk at the convenience store gave me too much change last night. I have discovered it this morning. 

I let a friend use my flat while I was gone on holiday. When I returned the flat was a mess. 

I am putting on weight. It begins to bug me. What should I do to lose some weight?

I have been working for the same company for almost ten years. My salary hasn’t changed much since my first day at this firm. What should I do? Stay at this job, ask for a raise or just move?

My boyfriend loves watching horror movies. I hate such kind of films, honestly. We often argue what to do on a Friday evening. Any advice?

It takes me more than two hours to get to and from work every day. I feel that I am wasting all that time.

One of my colleagues keeps swearing at work. I think this is highly inappropriate, but I don’t know if I should do anything about it.

ADVICE IN BUSINESS WRITING

Write an email or a fragment of a report using the prompts below. 

You are the marketing coordinator at a mid-sized technology company.

Your colleague, Katarzyna, is preparing her first solo presentation for a major client meeting next week. She sent you a draft of her slides and asked for your opinion.

You have reviewed the presentation and think it has potential, but there are a few areas that could be improved, especially the structure, clarity of visuals, and use of key messages. You want to encourage her, but also offer clear and constructive advice.


Your Task:

Write an email to Katarzyna (100–150 words), giving her advice on how to improve her presentation. Use polite and professional language. Include at least three different ways of giving advice or making suggestions.

✉️ Email Writing Scenario 2 – Staff Conflict Resolution

You are a team leader in the HR department.

One of your colleagues, Michał, is having ongoing communication issues with another team member. He’s frustrated and recently sent you a message asking for advice on how to handle the situation professionally. You know both individuals well and believe the conflict is mainly due to misunderstandings and unclear task responsibilities.


Your Task:

Write an email (100–150 words) to Michał offering your advice on how he can address the situation constructively. Be supportive, diplomatic, and suggest at least three possible actions he could take. Use different expressions for giving advice.

✉️ Email Writing Scenario 3 – Time Management Problems

You are a senior consultant in a busy consulting firm.

Your junior colleague, Aneta, recently started managing her first client project and is struggling with time management. She has missed two internal deadlines and asked you for tips on how to stay on track. You want to give her practical and encouraging advice to help her succeed.


Your Task:

Write an email (100–150 words) to Aneta with clear, practical suggestions to help her manage her time more effectively. Be supportive and professional. Use a variety of phrases to express recommendations and advice.

📊 Report Writing Scenario 1 – Improving Customer Satisfaction

You work as a customer experience analyst at a retail company.

You have been asked to prepare a short internal report for the Operations Manager based on the results of a recent customer satisfaction survey. The survey revealed issues with delivery delays, unhelpful customer service, and lack of follow-up communication.


Your Task:

Write the Recommendations section of the report (120–180 words). Include at least three specific recommendations for improving customer satisfaction. Use formal, business-like language and a range of phrases for giving advice and making suggestions.

📊 Report Writing Scenario 2 – Reducing Office Costs

You are part of the finance team in a medium-sized law firm.

Management has asked you to prepare a short report suggesting how the company can reduce day-to-day office expenses without affecting employee productivity. Areas to consider include printing, energy use, travel, and subscriptions.


Your Task:

Write a report fragment (120–180 words) including practical recommendations for cost reduction. Use formal and diplomatic language and include at least three different expressions for giving advice or making suggestions.

📊 Report Writing Scenario 3 – Enhancing Team Collaboration

You are a project manager at a tech startup.

Following several delays in recent projects, your CEO asked you to write a short report on how to improve collaboration among cross-functional teams. Your observations show that poor communication, unclear roles, and lack of shared tools are major problems.


Your Task:

Write the Recommendations section of the report (120–180 words). Offer three or more concrete suggestions to enhance collaboration. Use a professional tone and varied structures for giving advice.

DOWNLOAD

Download the mind-map below. Note that this mind-map includes expressions for accepting, accepting reluctanty, and rejecting a suggestion.

PRODUCT CATEGORY - Mind maps

download a mind-map

Learning is more effective when you use mind-maps!