Class 21-1: Making Suggestions: Let’s, Why Don’t, Shall We/I
“Let’s have a party?”
|
If you would like to suggest an action that you would like to do in the future, you can use let’s, why don’t, shall we, or shall I. |
| Rules: Let’s always comes before the simple form of a verb. Let’s means that you are sure about what you would like to do. | Examples: 1. Let’s go to the movies. 2. Let’s go to the park. |
| Why don’t is a polite and formal suggestion. Why don’t or why doesn’t is used when you are not 100% sure about what you would like to do and you are open to other suggestions. Why don’t we / you / I / they Why doesn’t she / he | 1. Why don’t we go to the pool? 2. Why don’t we go to the party? |
Continued
| Rules: Shall we / I is considered to be very polite and formal, and is not commonly used in American speech. Shall we / I is similar to why don’t. | Examples: 1. Shall we leave at eight? 2. Shall I go to Mary’s party or Maria’s |
“Shall we stay up until 12?”
Exercise
Exercise 1: Create your own sentences by making a suggestion for what the person/people should do in each situation.
1. Kelly is hungry. | Answer: Why don’t you make some macaroni and cheese?
2. Jessica can’t decide whether to buy a blue car or a red car. | Answer: __________________________
3. You and I need to buy our mom a present, but we don’t have much money. | Answer: __________________________
4. I am worried that the play will sell out. | Answer: __________________________
5. Today it is going to be cold at the beach. Tomorrow, it is going to be a lot warmer. Answer: __________________________
6. Justin is too shy to ask Courtney to go on a date with him, but he really wants to. | Answer: __________________________
7. Eric wants to buy a new computer, but he doesn’t have any money. | Answer: __________________________
8. Allison wants to work with horses when she grows up, but she is unsure of career ideas. | Answer: __________________________
9. Emily needs a good book to read. | Answer: __________________________
10. Missy does not understand why she failed the test. | Answer: __________________________
11. I need to sell a hundred boxes of Girl Scout cookies in order to win the prize. | Answer: __________________________
