Cool MateWhat do you suggest vs What should i do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
What do you suggest
Top 2,000 (common)
What should i do
Top 2,000 (common)
| What do you suggest | What should i do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //wɒt duː jʊ səˈdʒɛst//🇺🇸 //wɑt du jʊ səˈdʒɛst// | 🇬🇧 //wɒt ʃəd aɪ du//🇺🇸 //wɑt ʃʊd aɪ du// |
| Meaning | What do you think we should do? | A way to ask for advice or help on what actions to take. |
| Example | I'm not sure what to do next, so what do you suggest? | I faced a difficult decision and asked myself, 'What should I do?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | do you suggest, what do you think, what would you suggest | ask what to do, tell me what to do, decide what to do, wonder what to do, advise what to do |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'do' in the question., Using with wrong subjects (e.g., 'What you suggest?'), Confusing with 'What do you mean?' | Omitting 'I' in the question, e.g., 'What should do?', Using incorrect verb forms, e.g., 'What should I did?', Not clarifying the context, making it vague. |
| Usage notes | Used in conversations to seek advice. Appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. | Use this question when you're uncertain about what actions to take. It's appropriate in informal and formal situations but may sound too indirect in high-stakes contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: What do you suggest vs What should i do
What's the difference between What do you suggest and What should i do?
What do you suggest: What do you think we should do? What should i do: A way to ask for advice or help on what actions to take.
Can you show an example of each?
What do you suggest: I'm not sure what to do next, so what do you suggest? What should i do: I faced a difficult decision and asked myself, 'What should I do?'
Can I use What do you suggest and What should i do interchangeably?
Not always. What do you suggest and What should i do are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.