using 'helpful suggestions' to avoid a directive | The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers

The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers

using 'helpful suggestions' to avoid a directive

norm: when it is like this, it is good to do some things (see more)

Many people in Australia think like this:

When I want someone to do something, it can be good if I say it like this “I think it can be good if you do it. I think it can be good if you think about it.”

Note

This entry is from the speaker's perspective, rather than the listener's perspective.

"Might be an idea to do the shopping before midday. Otherwise all the good things will be gone."

"I'm going to go and visit Grandpa now. Do you want to come? He'd love to see you."

understanding 'helpful suggestions'suggestive approach to influencing others why don’t you do X?formulating requests as suggestions suggest recommend how about doing X?

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