When reporting someone's suggestion using the verb "suggest," you typically use one of two main structures in indirect speech.
The most common ways to use "suggested" in indirect speech are followed by either 'that' + a subject + a base verb (subjunctive) or 'that' + a subject + 'should' + a base verb.
Reporting Suggestions: Key Structures
Indirect speech is used to report what someone said without using their exact words. When reporting a suggestion made by someone, you often change the original words and the grammatical structure. The verb "suggested" is a common way to do this.
Here are the primary structures based on the provided examples:
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Suggest + that + Subject + Base Verb (Subjunctive)
- This structure omits "should." The verb following the subject is the base form (infinitive without "to"), regardless of the subject's number or person. This is often called the subjunctive form.
- Example from reference: My mother said, "It would be a good idea to see the dentist." In indirect speech, this becomes: My mother suggested I see the dentist. (Here, 'see' is the base verb, even though the subject is 'I').
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Suggest + that + Subject + Should + Base Verb
- This structure explicitly includes "should" after the subject. This is a very common and widely accepted way to report suggestions.
- Example from reference: Someone suggested, "You should go to the doctor." In indirect speech, this becomes: He suggested that I should go to the doctor. (Here, 'should go' follows 'that I').
Examples and Usage
Let's look at more examples to illustrate these structures:
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Original: "Why don't we go to the park?" (A suggestion)
- Indirect (Structure 1): She suggested that we go to the park.
- Indirect (Structure 2): She suggested that we should go to the park.
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Original: "You ought to rest." (A suggestion)
- Indirect (Structure 1): He suggested that I rest.
- Indirect (Structure 2): He suggested that I should rest.
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Original: "How about starting early tomorrow?" (A suggestion)
- Indirect (Structure 1): They suggested that we start early tomorrow.
- Indirect (Structure 2): They suggested that we should start early tomorrow.
Both structures are grammatically correct and commonly used. The inclusion or exclusion of "should" often depends on regional preference or individual style.
Summary of Structures
Here is a quick overview:
| Structure | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suggest + that + Subject + Base Verb | My mother suggested I see the dentist. | Uses the base form (subjunctive). |
| Suggest + that + Subject + Should + Base Verb | He suggested that I should go to the doctor. | Includes "should" for clarity. |
Remember that when using indirect speech, pronouns and time/place references may need to be changed to reflect the new context of reporting.
Using "suggested" effectively allows you to report recommendations and ideas concisely and accurately in English.
