How to Use the Suggest Structure in English

When you want to propose an idea, recommend an action, or suggest a possible solution, the verb suggest is a useful choice in English. It appears frequently in everyday conversations, academic writing, workplace communication, and English grammar exercises.

However, the suggest structure can be confusing because suggest follows several different grammatical patterns. Depending on what you want to express, it can be followed by a noun, a gerund, a that-clause, or a question word with a clause.

For example:

• I suggest a different approach. (I propose a different idea.)
• I suggest taking a short break. (I propose an activity.)
• I suggest that we leave early. (I propose what someone should do.)

Understanding these patterns will help you avoid common mistakes, such as using suggest to do something or suggest someone to do something.

In this guide, you will learn the main formulas, practical examples, differences between suggest and recommend, and exercises to help you use the suggest structure correctly.

What Does Suggest Mean?

Suggest is a verb that means to put forward an idea, plan, or possible action for someone to consider. It does not necessarily mean that the other person must follow the proposal.

For example:

• She suggested a new marketing strategy. (She proposed a new marketing strategy.)
• I suggest going out for dinner. (I propose the idea of eating out.)
• He suggested that we meet earlier. (He proposed that we meet at an earlier time.)

The verb suggest can also mean to indicate or imply something without stating it directly.

For example:

The results suggest that the new method is effective.

In this sentence, suggest means that the results indicate or provide evidence that the method works.

This article focuses mainly on the use of suggest to make proposals and recommendations.

Common Suggest Structure Formulas

There are several ways to use suggest in English. The correct pattern depends on whether you are proposing an object, an activity, or an action that a particular person should take.

Suggest + noun or noun phrase

Use this pattern when proposing a specific thing, such as a plan, place, idea, or solution.

Formula:

Subject + suggest + noun/noun phrase

Examples:

• I suggest a different approach to this problem.
• She suggested a new restaurant for dinner.
• Can you suggest a good English dictionary?
• The manager suggested several improvements to the current process.

You can also use the following pattern when identifying the person receiving the suggestion:

Subject + suggest + something + to + someone

Examples:

• I suggested a new plan to my manager.
• Could you suggest a suitable book to me?
• She suggested an alternative solution to her colleague.

In natural English, Can you recommend a good book? or Can you suggest a good book for me? may sound smoother than Can you suggest a good book to me?

Remember that suggest does not normally take a person directly as its object in the same way that tell does.

Incorrect: She suggested me a new plan.

Correct: She suggested a new plan to me.

You can also write: She suggested that I try a new plan.

Suggest + V-ing

The suggest + V-ing structure is one of the most common patterns. Use it when proposing an activity without explicitly identifying the person who will perform it.

Formula:

Subject + suggest + verb-ing

Examples:

• I suggest taking a short break.
• She suggested going by bus.
• We suggest booking the tickets in advance.
• He suggested working together on the project.
• They suggested visiting the museum after lunch.

In these sentences, the gerund describes the proposed action.

One important rule is that suggest is followed by a gerund rather than a to-infinitive when this pattern is used.

Incorrect: I suggest to take a taxi.

Correct: I suggest taking a taxi.

You can also use this structure when making suggestions in everyday conversations.

For example:

• I suggest trying the new café.
• Why don’t we try the new café?

Both sentences express a proposal, but they use different grammatical patterns.

Suggest + that + clause

Use the suggest + that structure when you want to specify who should perform an action.

Formula 1:

Subject + suggest + (that) + subject + base verb

In formal English, particularly in American English, the verb in the that-clause can take the subjunctive form. This means that the verb remains in its base form, even when the subject is third-person singular.

Examples:

• I suggest that he take a short break.
• She suggested that we leave earlier.
• The teacher suggests that every student read the instructions carefully.
• They suggested that the company improve its customer service.

Notice that the verbs take, leave, read, and improve remain in their base forms.

You can also use should in the that-clause.

Formula 2:

Subject + suggest + (that) + subject + should + base verb

Examples:

• I suggest that you should talk to your manager.
• The doctor suggested that she should get more rest.
• They suggest that the team should review the proposal.

Both the subjunctive form and the should construction are grammatical. The subjunctive form is especially common in American English, while should is frequently used in British English.

For example:

• I suggest that he go home.
• I suggest that he should go home.

Both sentences express the same general recommendation.

Suggest + question word + clause

The suggest structure can also include question words such as what, where, how, and which. This pattern is useful when asking for an idea or proposing a possible choice.

Formula:

Subject + suggest + question word + subject + verb

Examples:

• Can you suggest where we should eat tonight?
• Could you suggest how I can improve my pronunciation?
• Can you suggest which course I should take?
• She suggested what we could do next.

Pay attention to the word order after the question word. When it introduces an indirect question or embedded clause, use normal statement word order rather than the inversion found in direct questions.

Correct: Can you suggest where we should meet?

Incorrect: Can you suggest where should we meet?

The subject comes before the verb in the embedded clause.

Suggest + V-ing vs. Suggest + That

Both patterns are used to make suggestions, but they differ in how the proposed action is presented.

Compare these examples:

• I suggest meeting tomorrow.
• I suggest that we meet tomorrow.

The first sentence focuses on the activity of meeting. The second explicitly identifies we as the people who should meet.

When the person responsible for an action needs to be clear, the that-clause is often a useful choice. When you are proposing an activity in general, the gerund structure is usually concise and natural.

Suggest in Negative Sentences and Questions

The verb suggest can also be used in negative sentences and questions to express proposals, ask for advice, or recommend avoiding a particular action.

Negative suggest structure

Use a negative gerund or a negative that-clause when suggesting that an action should not happen.

Formula 1:

Subject + suggest + not + V-ing

Examples:

• I suggest not spending too much money on this project.
• She suggested not going out because of the heavy rain.
• We suggest not making a decision too quickly.

Formula 2:

Subject + suggest + that + subject + not + base verb

Examples:

• The doctor suggested that he not eat too much sugar.
• I suggest that she not work too late.
• They suggested that we not change the schedule.

The second pattern uses the subjunctive form. You can also use should not in the that-clause.

For example:

The doctor suggested that he should not eat too much sugar.

Questions with suggest

Use questions with suggest when asking someone to propose an idea or recommend a course of action.

Examples:

• What do you suggest?
• Can you suggest a better solution?
• What do you suggest we do next?
• Would you suggest taking the train?
• Can you suggest a good place to visit?

These expressions are useful in conversations, meetings, and workplace discussions.

Suggest vs. Recommend

Suggest and recommend can both be used to offer ideas or advice. However, there is a slight difference in emphasis.

Examples with suggest:

• I suggest trying this restaurant.
• She suggested that we leave early.
• The manager suggested a new strategy.

Examples with recommend:

• I recommend trying this restaurant.
• She recommended that we leave early.
• The manager recommended a new strategy.

In many contexts, the two verbs can be used interchangeably. However, recommend often emphasizes that the speaker considers a choice suitable or worthwhile, while suggest can simply introduce an idea for consideration.

Remember that neither verb normally takes the pattern someone + to-infinitive directly.

Incorrect: I recommend you to try this restaurant.

More natural: I recommend that you try this restaurant.

You could also say: I recommend trying this restaurant.

Common Mistakes with the Suggest Structure

Understanding the formulas is important, but knowing what to avoid will help you use them accurately.

Using suggest + to-infinitive

When proposing an activity, do not place to directly before the verb.

Incorrect: She suggested to go by train.

Correct: She suggested going by train.

You could also write: She suggested that we go by train.

Using suggest + someone + to-infinitive

This error often happens because learners confuse suggest with verbs such as tell or advise.

Incorrect: He suggested me to apply for the job.

Correct: He suggested that I apply for the job.

Another option is: He suggested applying for the job.

The that-clause clearly identifies I as the person who would apply.

Using the wrong verb form after suggest that

In the subjunctive construction, use the base form of the verb rather than adding -s for a third-person singular subject.

Incorrect: I suggest that he goes home.

Correct: I suggest that he go home.

You can also use should:

I suggest that he should go home.

The subjunctive form is especially useful to recognize in grammar exercises.

Confusing suggest with a direct question

When a question word introduces an embedded clause after suggest, do not use direct-question word order.

Incorrect: She suggested where should we meet.

Correct: She suggested where we should meet.

The clause where we should meet follows normal subject-verb order because it is embedded within the larger sentence.

Using suggest with a person as the direct object

When you want to identify the person receiving a suggestion, use to after the thing being suggested or rewrite the sentence with a that-clause.

Incorrect: She suggested me a new idea.

Correct: She suggested a new idea to me.

Also correct: She suggested that I consider a new idea.

Exercises on the Suggest Structure

Test your understanding by completing the following exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Write the correct form of the word in parentheses or choose the appropriate word.

1. I suggest ______ (take) a short break.
2. She suggested that he ______ (study) harder.
3. The manager suggested ______ (change) the current plan.
4. Can you suggest where we ______ (should/go) this weekend?
5. He suggested that we ______ (not/spend) too much money.
6. My teacher suggested ______ (read) English books every day.
7. Could you suggest a good restaurant ______ me?
8. She suggested that everyone ______ (be) on time.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

1. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
   a. She suggested to leave early.
   b. She suggested leaving early.
   c. She suggested leave early.
2. Choose the correct verb form: I suggest that he ______ home.
   a. goes
   b. go
   c. to go
3. Which sentence correctly asks for a suggestion?
   a. Can you suggest where should we eat?
   b. Can you suggest where we should eat?
   c. Can you suggest where do we eat?
4. Choose the correct sentence.
   a. He suggested me to apply.
   b. He suggested that I apply.
   c. He suggested that I to apply.

Answers and Explanations

Exercise 1

1. taking — Use suggest + V-ing to propose an activity.
2. study — The subjunctive form uses the base verb after suggest that.
3. changing — Use a gerund after suggest when proposing an action.
4. should go — The embedded clause uses normal subject-verb order.
5. not spend — Use not + base verb in the subjunctive construction.
6. reading — Suggest + V-ing is correct when proposing an activity.
7. to — Use suggest something to someone.
8. be — The subjunctive form of be remains be, regardless of the subject.

Exercise 2

1. b. She suggested leaving early. — Suggest is followed by a gerund in this pattern.
2. b. go — The subjunctive form uses the base verb.
3. b. Can you suggest where we should eat? — The embedded question uses normal word order.
4. b. He suggested that I apply. — The that-clause correctly identifies the person performing the action.

The suggest structure becomes much easier when you identify what you want to propose. Use suggest + noun for a specific idea, suggest + V-ing for an activity, and suggest + that-clause when you want to identify who should take action. For questions involving choices or methods, use a question word followed by a clause with normal word order. With regular practice, you can use these patterns more naturally in conversations, writing, and English grammar exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Suggest Structure

Should I use to V or V-ing after suggest?

When suggesting an action, use V-ing or a that-clause rather than to V directly after suggest.

Correct: I suggest taking a taxi.

Also correct: I suggest that we take a taxi.

Is the suggest + should structure correct?

Yes. You can use suggest + that + subject + should + base verb to recommend an action.

Example: I suggest that he should talk to his teacher.

Which suggest structures should grade 9 students learn?

Common patterns include suggest + noun, suggest + V-ing, suggest + that + subject + base verb, and suggest + that + subject + should + base verb. Students should also practice sentence transformations and learn how suggest differs from recommend.

Can I use suggest with “Why don’t we”?

Yes. You can use a Why don’t we…? question to introduce a suggestion, but you should not place the direct question unchanged after suggest in an embedded clause.

Examples:

• She said, “Why don’t we go by bus?”
• She suggested that we go by bus.

The second sentence expresses the same general proposal using the suggest + that structure.

What is the difference between suggest and recommend?

Both verbs can introduce a possible action or choice. Suggest often presents an idea for consideration, while recommend often emphasizes advising or endorsing an option. Both can be followed by V-ing or a that-clause.

Keywords:

• suggest structure examples
• suggest + V-ing or to V
• suggest that structure
• suggest should structure
• suggest vs recommend