suggest that someone (should) do something
Advanced Chunks – Category 7

Meaning

to recommend or propose that someone perform an action

Primary Function

gives a recommendation or indirect order

Communicative Purpose

to offer solutions, give advice politely

Pattern

suggest that;

Core Structure

suggest that;

Função primária

gives a recommendation or indirect order

Propósito comunicativo

to offer solutions, give advice politely

Situações de gatilho

meetings, troubleshooting discussions, advising colleagues

Contextos

professional settings (business meetings), academic writing, everyday conversation

Padrão

suggest that;

Estrutura central

suggest that;

Slots de substituição

subject (any noun or pronoun); verb phrase (bare infinitive)

Colocados típicos

  • politely
  • humbly
  • strongly
  • may I suggest that
  • it is suggested that

Substituições comuns

  • recommend that
  • propose that
  • advise that

Erros comuns

using *suggest someone to do* instead of the subjunctive construction; omitting 'should' in formal contexts where a stronger recommendation is needed

Similar / contraste

advise someone to, recommend that someone, suggest doing something

Interferências

Learners whose L1 uses a subjunctive or infinitive after 'suggest' may incorrectly say 'suggest someone to do' or use the subjunctive incorrectly.

Família do chunk

  • suggest that someone should
  • suggest that we
  • suggest that he/she
  • suggest that they

Nuance

The optional 'should' softens the suggestion, making it less direct.

Efeito pragmático

Softens the suggestion, making it more polite and less direct.

Dica de memória

suggest + that-clause

Nota

The optional 'should' makes the suggestion sound more polite and less direct.

Upgrade path

I would recommend that you...

Frequência: Very highFormulaicidade: Semi-fixedTipo de construção: Sentence framePrioridade de aquisição: Automatic productionPrioridade de output: BothTag de espaçamento: Short-term

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