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.
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.