Subjunctive: 'I suggest that...'

This grammar is all about the verb that follows suggest. In most English sentences, verbs change based on the person. We say he eats or she goes. But the subjunctive is a rebel. It ignores the subject entirely. It uses the base form of the verb. This is the verb in its most natural, naked state. No s on the end. No ed for the past. No ing for the continuous. It stays the same regardless of who is doing the action. It feels a bit like the verb is frozen in time. This happens because the action hasn't happened yet. It is just an idea or a proposal. You are talking about a hypothetical world. In that world, the rules of tense and person take a back seat.

1. 1Creating this structure is like following a simple recipe.
2. 2Start with your main subject (e.g., I, The boss, We).
3. 3Add the verb suggest (or suggested for the past).
4. 4Use the optional connector that (it makes you sound more formal).
5. 5Add the second subject (the person who should do the action).
6. 6Use the base form of the second verb.
7. 7Example: I suggest that he arrive on time.
8. 8Notice how it is not arrives. Even though the subject is he, we keep the verb as arrive. It might feel wrong at first. Like wearing your left shoe on your right foot. But in the world of the subjunctive, it is perfectly correct. If you want to make it negative, just add not before the verb. Do not use don't or doesn't. Just a simple, clean not. Example: I suggest that she not leave yet.

You use this pattern when the stakes are a bit higher. It is perfect for giving professional advice. Use it when you are proposing a solution in a meeting. It works well for making formal requests to authorities. Imagine you are at a high-end restaurant. You might say, I suggest that the chef prepare the steak medium-rare. It sounds much more refined than Tell the chef to cook it medium-rare. Use it in job interviews to show your leadership. I suggest that we implement a new filing system. It shows you have ideas but respect the hierarchy. It is also common in legal or medical contexts. A doctor might say, I suggest that he take this medicine twice daily. It carries the weight of expertise without the aggression of a direct order.

Do not use this for every little thing. If you are telling your friend to pass the salt, don't use the subjunctive. It will make you sound like a 19th-century butler. I suggest that you pass the salt is way too heavy for lunch. Also, avoid it when you are reporting a simple fact. If something is already happening, use the normal indicative mood. For example, I suggest that he is smart is wrong if you mean I think he is smart. The subjunctive is for actions that should happen, not things that are happening. If there is no element of advice or proposal, stay away. It is a tool for influence, not for observation. Keep it in your pocket for when you need to be persuasive or professional.

The biggest trap is the third-person s. Your brain will scream at you to add it. You will want to say I suggest that he goes. Resist the urge! It must be I suggest that he go. Another common error is using to after suggest. Never say I suggest him to go. That is a direct translation from other languages and sounds very clunky in English. You also shouldn't use should inside the that clause in American English. While British English allows I suggest that he should go, American English prefers the pure base form. Finally, watch out for the negative. Avoid I suggest that he doesn't go. The correct form is I suggest that he not go. It feels naked, but it is correct.

How does suggest differ from advise or recommend? They all use the subjunctive, but the vibe changes. Suggest is the most common and versatile. Recommend feels a bit more like expert testimony. Insist is much stronger and almost a command. I insist that he stay means he has no choice. I suggest that he stay gives him an out. You can also use suggest with a gerund: I suggest going to the park. This is more informal and groups everyone together. The suggest that... pattern is specific because it separates the suggester from the doer. It creates a clear line between your idea and their action. It is the most respectful way to bridge that gap.