Using "to suggest"

Suggest can be used in three different ways with identical or similar meanings. The construction may be a bit complicated to master, so pay attention to detail. Suggest can be followed directly by a gerund, or by a possessive adjective + a gerund when the gerund doesn't refer to the subject of the sentence.

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Examples
  • He suggested going to Glastonbury.
  • He suggested my going to Glastonbury.
  • I suggested visiting your grandmother.
  • I suggested your visiting your grandmother.

Suggest can also be followed by that + subject + should + verb, but in these clauses both that and should may be omitted, leaving the subject directly after the verb suggest.

Examples
  • He suggests that I should go to New York.
  • He suggests that I go to New York.
  • He suggests I should go to New York.
  • He suggests I go to New York.

Suggest can be followed by a noun if the meaning is clear from the context.

Examples
  • What kind of ice cream are you having? I suggest chocolate.
  • I suggest Jim for this project.
  • He suggested the Toyota Prius instead of another hybrid car.
  • If you are allergic to hair, I suggest a bird or a fish as a pet.

Finally, suggest may be followed by a question word + the infinitive.

Examples
  • He suggested where to go.
  • I suggested what to see.
  • You suggested when to leave.
  • They suggested which coat to buy.
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