Suggest Somebody Do Something

[hhtt21]

I would like to ask you about the common English structure the Suggest Somebody Do Something. This example using it is confusing with respect to the tenses.

The part using the structure in question is in simple past but the following part is simple present. Would you explain this?



http://www.tulsapeople.com/core/pag...dings/June-2010/Will-you-marry-me/&mode=print

Thank you.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I would like to ask you about the common English structure he suggested somebody do something. This example using it is confusing with respect to the tenses.

The part using the structure in question is in simple past but the following part is simple present. Would you explain this?

http://www.tulsapeople.com/core/pag...dings/June-2010/Will-you-marry-me/&mode=print

Thank you.

You're probably asking about the phrase "Dell suggested that I pack an overnight bag."

It's a good question. It must seem odd, but it is standard usage.

You're right, Dell made the suggestion in the past. But when he made it, he was asking her to do something that she hadn't done yet. He wouldn't ask her to pack now if she had already packed.

So it's logical and natural once you get used to the phrasing.

 

[GoesStation]

You're probably asking about the phrase "Dell suggested that I pack an overnight bag."

The first verb is in the simple past. The second is in the subjunctive, not the simple present. Many British English speakers would, I believe, use the simple past there, but most Americans continue to use the subjunctive.

 

[hhtt21]

We do not suggest somebody to do something in English,

How do you use that phrase or what's its equivalent in BrE?

Thank you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The OP may use 'advise somebody to do something' if s/he wants a to-infinitive.