Reporting Suggestions and Recommendations

“You should apply for the job,” she said. → She suggested that I apply for the job.

Notice

  • She suggested that I apply for the job.
  • He recommended booking tickets early.
  • The doctor advised him to rest for a week.
  • They proposed that the meeting be postponed.

Rule

Reporting verbs like suggest, recommend, propose can be followed by a that-clause with the base form (the subjunctive: ‘that I apply’, not ‘that I applied’) or by a gerund (‘suggested booking’). Advise and tell use object + to-infinitive: ‘advised him to rest’.

Practice

  1. Report: ‘Why don’t you take a break?’ (suggest)
    Answer: She suggested that I take a break. / She suggested taking a break.
  2. Report: ‘You should see a specialist.’ (recommend, using a that-clause)
    Answer: He recommended that I see a specialist.
  3. Report: ‘Rest for a week,’ the doctor said. (advise + object)
    Answer: The doctor advised him to rest for a week.
  4. Correct the error: ‘She suggested me to come early.’
    Answer: She suggested that I come early. / She suggested coming early.

Connect

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CEFR: Spoken Interaction — relay advice and suggestions accurately in conversation.

Azizul Hakim
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