Correct Use of Suggest

Suggest is a very useful word that you can use in your essays. To suggest is to recommend, advise or propose.

Suggest should be followed by a that-clause or an ing form. It cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.

• The doctor suggested that I should take break. / The doctor suggested that I take a break. (That ‘should’ is optional after suggest.)
• The doctor suggested taking a break.
• The doctor suggested to take a break. (Wrong)
• The doctor suggested me to take a break.  (Wrong)
• I suggest that we leave early for the airport. / I suggest that we should leave early for the airport.
• The mayor suggested that a new bridge should be built.
• The mayor suggested building a new bridge.
• The mayor suggested to build a new bridge. (Wrong)
• I suggest that you consult a doctor. / I suggest that you should consult a doctor.
• I suggest that he find a good job. / I suggest that he should find a good job.
• She suggests that you find another place to live in. / She suggests that you should find another place to live in.

After suggest we use a special structure called subjunctive. This form is constructed using the bare infinitive. It does not matter whether the subject is singular or plural. The verb does not take –s.

• The doctor suggests that he get his eyes examined. / The doctor suggests that he should get his examined. (NOT The doctor suggests that he gets his eyes examined.)

Since the form without should can cause confusion, it is preferable to use should.