Suggestions

The chunk "Let's"

To make a suggestion to someone, you can use the chunk "Let's". It's short for "Let us".
When you use the chunk "Let's", you must add a verb that expresses your suggestion. This form of the verb must be the infinitive form, no matter how many people you address:
  • Let's play football!
  • Let's go outside!
  • Let's listen to music!
  • Let's watch a movie!
  • Let's take a walk!
  • Let's get something to drink!
Remember: the verb "like" requires the ing-form (Gerund) of the following verb. But: the chunk "Let's" requires the infinitive form of the following verb, NOT the ing-form!
Read the following statements. Then fill in the gaps with a suggestion. Use the chunk "Let's"! For example: Pedro wants to go to the cinema. He says to Anna: "______________________" You write: Let's go to the cinema.
 
en
  1. Anna wants to go inside. She says to her brother: "⁠! "
     
  2. Julia wants to play tennis. She says to her friend: "⁠! "
     
  3. Maria wants to prepare dinner. She says to Andreas: "⁠! "
     
  4. Andreas wants to have a party. He says to Maria: "⁠! "
     
  5. Maria wants to invite the Smiths. She says to Andreas: "⁠! "
     
  6. Peter wants to watch a movie. He says to his brother: "⁠! "
     
Repeat exercise ?
 
 

Other chunks

Besides the chunk "Let's", there are other ways to make a suggestion. You can use the following chunks:
  • "Why not"…?
  • "Shall we"…?
These chunks also require the infinitive form of the following verb:
  • Why not talk to Peter about it?
  • Why not go out to a restaurant?
  • Why not have some coke?
  • Shall we eat outside today?
  • Shall we call Mum?
  • Shall we take this class?
There are even more chunks that you can use to make a suggestion:
  • "How about"…?
  • "What about"…?
When you use these two chunks "How about" or "What about", you must be aware of the following rule:
These two chunks require the ing-form of the following verb, NOT the infinitive form!
  • How about taking this class?, but Shall we take this class?
  • What about going out to a restaurant?, but Why not go out to a restaurant?
  • How about watching a movie?, but Let's watch a movie!
  • What about playing football?, but Let's play football!
That was hard, but it's important to learn which chunks require which form of the following verb! Here is a short overview:
  • The chunk "Let's" requires the infinitive form of the following verb.
  • The chunk "Why not" requires the infinitive form of the following verb.
  • The chunk "Shall we" requires the infinitive form of the following verb.
  • The chunk "How about" requires the ing-form of the following verb.
  • The chunk "What about" requires the ing-form of the following verb.
Convert the suggestions with "Let's" into suggestions with other chunks. Decide, if you need the ing-form or not.
 
en
  1. Let's watch a movie! How about a movie?
     
  2. Let's ask Tom to come over! How about Tom to come over?
     
  3. Let's have soup for lunch! What about soup for lunch?
     
  4. Let's meet Mum for dinner! Shall we Mum for lunch?
     
  5. Let's walk the dog! Why not the dog?
     
  6. Let's go upstairs! Why not upstairs?
     
Repeat exercise ?
 
 
 

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