Ch 32 · Lesson 9English · Chapter 32 · Lesson 9 · Grammar primer
I suggest he go: the plain verb
After suggest or it's important that, formal and American English use the plain verb: I suggest he go, that she be there. British English also says he should go or he goes.
The short version
After suggest, the plain verb: I suggest he go
.
Why?Hide
After suggest, insist or it's important that, formal and American English use the plain verb for every person: I suggest he go, it's important that she be there. British English often says he should go or he goes, and all three are correct. I suggest him to go is wrong.
I suggest he go: the plain verb
After , , , , and , the next verb can be the verb, for every person:
.- no -s on see..- be, not is..- not, with no do.
This is common in American English and in formal writing. British English often uses should, or the ordinary verb:
- I suggest he goes.British, everyday
- I suggest he should go.British
- I suggest he go.American; formal everywhere
All three are correct. In formal writing, the plain verb is safe everywhere.
God save the King: fixed phrases
The plain verb also lives on in phrases. Do not change a word of them; learn them like vocabulary:
| Phrase | It means |
|---|---|
! | |
! | |
. | |
... | |
... | |
... |
Save has no -s and be stays be: that is the old subjunctive.
Going further: If I were you: were for every person and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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