Shall We? How About…? Making Suggestions
By the end: I can suggest a shared activity and offer to help.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Suggest a shared action
Use shall we and the short verb form to suggest something together.
Shall we sit outside?
Shall we meet at six?
Offer your help
Use shall I when you offer to do something yourself. Make clear who will act.
Shall I open the window?
Shall I carry that bag?
Give another idea
How about can introduce a noun or an -ing activity. Reply with agreement or an alternative.
How about a picnic?
How about meeting at seven instead?
An alternative becomes the agreed time only after acceptance
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Complete: Shall we ___ a break? Use take.
Compare a model and explanation
take
Shall takes the base verb.
2. Offer to help: ___ I carry that?
Compare a model and explanation
Shall
Shall I offers the speaker’s action.
3. Complete: How about ___ outside? Use eat.
Compare a model and explanation
eating
Use -ing after how about in this pattern.
4. Correct: Shall we to meet at ten?
Compare a model and explanation
Shall we meet at ten?
Do not add to.
5. Correct: How about go for a walk?
Compare a model and explanation
How about going for a walk?
Use going.
6. Suggest a picnic using a noun after how about.
Compare a model and explanation
How about a picnic?
A noun phrase also works.
7. Who acts in Shall I call Sam, the speaker or both people necessarily?
Compare a model and explanation
The speaker.
I does not necessarily include the listener in the action.
8. Reply to Shall we walk? with a different transport suggestion.
Compare a model and explanation
How about taking the bus instead?
A clear alternative is acceptable.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Shall we have lunch outside?
B: Good idea. Shall I bring sandwiches?
A: Yes, please. How about meeting at one?
B: One is difficult. How about half past one?
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Make two shared suggestions with shall we.
Reveal a possible response
Shall we sit here? Shall we order lunch?
Success check: Use we and a base verb.
Speaking 2
Offer two kinds of help with shall I.
Reveal a possible response
Shall I get your coat? Shall I call a taxi?
Success check: Identify your own offered action.
Put it all together
Plan a picnic. Include a shared suggestion, a personal offer and a changed time.
Reveal a possible response
Shall we have a picnic? Shall I bring food? How about meeting at twelve? Let’s meet at one instead.
Success check: Make the final plan clear.
Take it with you
I can suggest a shared activity and offer to help.