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.
 
 
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  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: "⁠! "
     
 
 
 

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.
 
 

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