[Grammar] He suggests that she gets/should get/get a job in a bank

[kadioguy]

(Quoted from the Practical English Usage 3rd ed.)
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In that-clauses after suggest, various verb forms are possible when we suggest what people should do.

a) Ordinary present and past tenses can be used.

Her uncle suggests that she gets a job in a bank.
He suggested that she got a job in a bank.

b) Should + infinitive without to is common.

He suggests that she should get a job in a bank.
He suggested that she should get a job in a bank.

c) Subjunctives are also used, especially in American English.

He suggests that she get a job in a bank.
He suggested that she get a job in a bank.

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1. He suggests that she gets a job in a bank
2. He suggests that she should get a job in a bank
3. He suggests that she get a job in a bank

Is there any difference in meaning among them?

 

[jutfrank]

The writer's point is that they all express the same meaning.

 

[Rover_KE]

...


1. He suggests that she gets a job in a bank
2. He suggests that she should get a job in a bank
3. He suggests that she get a job in a bank

Is there any difference in meaning [STRIKE]among[/STRIKE] between them?

[link]`

 

[kadioguy]

Her uncle suggests that she gets a job in a bank.

Why is the green part in the present simple? (It is obviously not to express a habitual/regular action or occurrence.)

Can the following apply to this case?
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(Quoted from the Practical English Usage 3rd ed.)

463.5

When we talk about series of completed actions and events, we often use the simple present. This happens, for example, in demonstrations, commentaries, instructions and present-tense stories.

First I take a bowl and break two eggs into it. Next ... (NOT First I am taking a bowl ...)

Lydiard passes to Taylor, Taylor shoots - and it's a goal!

How do I get to the station? ~ You go straight on to the traffic lights, then you turn left, ...

So I go into the office, and I see this man, and he says to me ...

 

[emsr2d2]

Think, kadioguy! Does getting a job a suggestion to get a job fit in to any of those categories?

Normally, I can work out how to fix typos but I genuinely don't know what you meant with the underlined part. ;-)

 

[kadioguy]

Think, kadioguy! Does getting a job or a suggestion to get a job fit in to any of those categories?

Neither of them fit in with any of those categories.
Could you help me with this question?

Normally, I can work out how to fix typos but I genuinely don't know what you meant with the underlined part. ;-)

I assure Piscean meat to say:

... Does getting a job or a suggestion to get a job fit in to any of those categories?

 

[kadioguy]

Think, kadioguy! Does gets a job in a suggestion to get a job fit in to any of those categories?

I think it now makes sense.

Thank you, Piscean.

I think the answer is still "no". Could you tell me the right way to think of that usage of the present simple tense?

 

[GoesStation]

1. He suggests that she gets a job in a bank
2. He suggests that she should get a job in a bank
3. He suggests that she get a job in a bank

Is there any difference in meaning among them?

Number one is unnatural in American English. Number two and three are natural and mean the same thing.

 

[jutfrank]

Could you tell me the right way to think of that usage of the present simple tense?

You already have your answer. Michael Swan puts it very clearly:

(Quoted from the Practical English Usage 3rd ed.)
-----------------
In that-clauses after suggest, various verb forms are possible when we suggest what people should do.

a) Ordinary present and past tenses can be used.

Her uncle suggests that she gets a job in a bank.
He suggested that she got a job in a bank.

 

[Tarheel]

He suggested that she get a job at a bank.

:up:

 

[kadioguy]

He suggested that she get a job at a bank.

:up:

Do you prefer "at a bank" rather than "in a bank"?

 

[emsr2d2]

Do you prefer "at a bank" [STRIKE]rather than[/STRIKE] to "in a bank"?

I do.

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Kadioguy:


The subjunctive is still popular among many Americans.

That is why many of them (especially the older people like me) prefer "I suggest that Mona become a nurse." That is just someone's suggestion. In fact, Mona has never expressed any wish to become a nurse.

I do believe, however, some Americans (especially the younger ones) would have no problem with "I suggest that Mona becomes a nurse." Americans who still try to follow the traditional rules of grammar, however, would use the "s" form only to mean that something is actual (not merely a suggestion): "Mona becomes very angry if you criticize her hair."

According to what I have read, most Americans do not use the sentence with "should."

 

[GoesStation]

I haven't noticed Americans of any age abandoning this aspect of the subjunctive.

 

[Tarheel]

Do you prefer "at a bank" to "in a bank"?

Yes.

He works at a bank.
He works at a hotel.
He works at a supermarket.
He works at a retail store.
He works at a warehouse.
He works at a factory.