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How to use the verb: SUGGEST
A lot of English speakers struggle with the verb suggest because suggest is an unusual English verb!
It is not used the same way that other verbs are. Let’s have a look!
1. “I suggest THAT you call him.”
🌸 suggest + that + someone + do something
This is the trickiest use of suggest for English students to understand. READ CAREFULLY!
Use this when you want to tell someone your opinion. You want to tell them to do something.
⚠️ Don’t use
me, us, you,etc. as indirect object pronouns after suggest.✅ Use a that-clause after suggest.
What is a that-clause?
A clause is any part of a sentence that has a subject and a verb. A sentence is one or more clauses joined together. A that-clause is a clause that starts with the conjunction that. A conjunction joins two clauses or sentences together into one longer sentence.
Start your sentence with this specific structure:
> I suggest that…
The next part of the sentence needs a subject and a verb, because it’s a clause.
> I suggest that someone do something
“Someone” is the subject of the clause. The subject is followed by the verb phrase “do something.”
⚠️ REMEMBER: Don’t use an infinitive after suggest. Don’t say “
I suggest to do something.”Example sentences
> I suggest that you memorise sentences instead of grammar rules!
> Luca suggests that we go out for dinner after the cinema.
> My teacher suggested that I read more in English.
Got it so far?! Great …. now, just to mess with you mind, let’s look at this example
> Elisa suggests that Maya study harder so she can pass the IELTS exam and get into the university.
What do you notice? Anything strange?
> Elisa suggests that Maya study harder so she can pass the IELTS exam and get into the university.
Shouldn’t it be “Maya studies“?
Nope! This is what makes the English verb suggest different from other verbs.
Remember, in this structure, I suggest is followed by a that-clause. A clause contains a subject and a verb.
The verb in the that-clause is the subjunctive form.
(Don’t worry about the word subjunctive! This is a very rare verb form, and it is rarely used in English today.)
All you need to know is this:
✅ In the subjunctive form, the verb doesn’t change.
Don’t add -s or change the verb after the subjects he, she, or it. Just use the base form of the verb (the bare infinitive without ‘to’) In this case: study NOT studies
ok?!
Tip: You don’t need to include that in the sentence.
✅ It is still a that-clause even if you don’t say or write that in this sentence structure
> I suggest you memorise sentences instead of grammar rules!
> Luca suggests we go out for dinner after the cinema.
> My teacher suggested I read more in English.
> Elisa suggests Maya study harder so she can pass the IELTS exam and get into the university.
Tip: Make the that-clause negative by adding not in front of the verb.
> The nurse suggests we not waste time and go see the doctor immediately.
2. “He suggested going for a walk together.”
🌸 suggest doing something
In other words: suggest + gerund
I suggest memorising sentences instead of grammar rules!
⚠️ Don’t use an infinitive after suggest! If you use a verb after suggest, use a gerund!
(What is a gerund? A gerund is a noun that is formed by adding -ing to a verb.)
Example sentences
Her brother suggests studying harder so she can get into a good university.
My doctor suggests eating less and exercising more.
Her family suggested waiting a few years before she gets married.
I suggest not waiting so long to go to the doctor.
✅ The meaning of this sentence is the same as suggest that someone do something.
3. Suggest an idea for a grammar lesson!
🌸 suggest something
suggest + noun
Can you suggest a good hotel in Paris?
I can suggest some interesting apps.
I really love this app and will suggest it to everyone.
No politician has suggested a way to improve the economy.
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