SUBJUNCTIVE (I SUGGEST YOU DO)
1- Study this example:
Mary said to Pete: “Why don’t you buy some new
clothes?”
Mary suggested (that) Pete buy some new clothes
The subjunctive is always the same as the base
form (I buy, he buy, she buy, etc. )
I/he/she/it
Do/buy/be, etc..
We/ you/ they
2- You can use the subjunctive after these verbs:
suggest propose recommend insist demand
• I suggest (that) you take a vacation.
• They insisted (that) we have dinner with them.
• I insisted (that) he have dinner with me.
• He demanded (that) she apologize to him.
• The doctor recommended (that) I rest for a few days.
You can use the subjunctive for the present. past, or future:
• I insist (that) you come with us.
• They insisted (that) I go with them.
Note the subjunctive be (usually passive):
• I insisted (that) something be done about the problem.
• The chairperson proposed (that) the plans be changed.
3- Other structures are possible after Insist and Suggest:
A- They insisted on my having dinner with them
Many verbs have the structure verb (V) + preposition (P) + object. For example
talk about
 We talked about the problem (the problem is the object)
If the object is another verb, it ends in –ing
 We talked about going to Japan (V+P+-ing)
Here are some more verbs that have the structure V+P+-ing
Succeed in
has Tom succeeded
in
finding a job yet?
Feel like*
I don’t feel
like
going out tonight
Think about/of
Are you thinking
of/about
buying a house?
Dream of
I’ve always dreamed
of
being rich
Approve/disapprove of
She doesn’t approve
of
smoking
Look forward to
I’m looking forward
to
meeting her
Insist on
She insisted
on
buying me a cup of
coffee
Decide against
We decided
against
moving to California
Apologize for
He apoligized
for
keeping me waiting

I feel like doing = I’d like to do, I’m in the mood to do
We say “ apologize to someone for something”
 He apologized to me for keeping me waiting (not he apologized
me)
With some of these verbs you can also use the structure verb+ preposition +
someone + -ing
 We are all looking forward to Peter ( or Peter’s) coming home
 She doesn’t approve of her son (or son’s) staying out late at
night
 They insisted on me (or my) staying with them
B- It was a beautiful evening. So I suggested going for a walk.
If these verbs are followed by another verb the structure is usually verb + ing
Stop enjoy dislike
admit
Finish
mind
imagine
Delay
suggest regret
Give up
go on
put off
consider
deny
avoid
keep on
miss
involve
practice
postpone
risk
You cannot use the infinitive after suggest:
• She suggested that he buy some new clothes. (not suggested
him to buy)
• What do you suggest I do? (not suggest me to do)
4- Should is sometimes used instead of the subjunctive.
• She suggested that he should buy some new clothes.
• The doctor recommended that I should rest for a few days.