Propose vs Offer vs Suggest

 Hello my sweet francophones!

Often you guys translate propose directly, but in English we actually use it differently! And the way we use it depends on what we want to say (so pay attention to the examples).


Here are 3 links I hope you find useful to understand the nuance between the three, and hopefully we'll hear you saying "he proposed me to go out" (example) a lot less! ;)


And just this explanation from the 3rd link (i didn't like the other explanations in it): 

(1) An offer is open-ended; it puts something in front of another person leaving that person free to accept or reject the offer. E.g. "We offer several afternoon activities for you to consider." "Please offer a cold drink to our guests." 

 

(2) A suggestion is a soft way of presenting an idea for something to happen; you may hear people say, "Never mind, it was just a suggestion." The speaker would be happy if the thing happens, but it's okay if it doesn't.
E.g. "I suggest that tomorrow morning we all go on a picnic together."

 


(3) A proposal carries the speaker's endorsement of the idea or activity being proposed; it's like saying you think this should happen. It is often, but not always, used in a more formal context than the word offer. You may see the phrase "business proposal" or "marriage proposal."
E.g. "I propose that we continue this discussion at the meeting next week." "I propose that tomorrow morning we all go on a picnic together."
Note: He proposed to her last night! This alway means that he asked her to marry him. When propose is used on its own, it means that someone proposes marriage. A very different meaning attaches to the word "proposition" used as a verb. To proposition someone has a sexual connotation; the speaker is asking for sex in exchange for money. E.g. "She thought he was nice until he propositioned her."

 

Note that PROPOSE and SUGGEST are closer to each other in meaning than either is to OFFER

Comments