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.
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.