'I was about to suggest that you should…' :)

[Tamara]

Hi

You should…
I suggested you should…
I was about to suggest that you should….

Is the last phrase is just a more (the most? ) polite form of request/advice?
Or does it sound rather too 'mannered'?

'was about to suggest' – could you express it in another way (and not so formal)?
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

Was about to means was planning to / was just on the verge of (doing).

So, in your sentence the speaker had been planning to make a suggestion but changed his/her mind for some reason.

Theoretically, saying "I was about to suggest..." could also be used as an indirect (sarcastic) way to make a suggestion.

Amy
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

I was about to suggest that you should .. is I agree somewhat longwinded but it could also indicate that you are going to agree the self same thing yourself as follows:

A: I think I should go and see Aunt Edith _ I haven't seen her for ages.
B: Yes, I was about to suggest you should do that myself.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Health

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

Another comment and a question:

I was about to does not sound formal to me.

Just out of curiosity, why did you use the past tense (suggested) in your second example? Or did you want to write "I would suggest that you should ..."?

Amy
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Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

If you don't like I was about to, which seems all right to me, what about -I was just going to suggest/I was just this minute going to suggest ?

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Briefly

[Tamara]

Hi

Amy, Alan, thank you for your responses.