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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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 Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: I suggest that you eat / ate ... |
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Hello,
I would like to know which sentence below is the correct one. In case both are correct, then could you explain the difference between them?
1- I suggest that you eat before leaving for work.
2- I suggest that you ate before leaving for work.
Thank you. |
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2006
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 610
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:32 pm Post subject: |
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Both sentences are correct but have different meanings
#1...The speaker is saying that "you" should eat before "you" go to work.
#2...This sentence would be much less commonly said but is also correct. For example, it might be said to"you" by a lawyer in court when the lawyer is not agreeing with what "you" are saying. "You" are saying that "you" did not eat before leaving for work but the lawyer is (suggesting)(saying) that the lawyer thinks "you" did infact eat before leaving for work.
Last edited by 2006 on Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, 2006.
Thanks to you explanation, it is much clearer in my mind now. |
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sophy
Joined: 10 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject: I get it |
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It is beause of the different meanings of the word "suggest", right?
then can you tell me what's the exact meaning of it in these two sentences?
_________________
I'd like to make friends and improve my English here. and I believe I can realize it here. |
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2006
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Yes, "suggest" has different meanings in the two sentences.
In the first sentence, the speaker is giving you a suggestion. (telling you what you should do)
In the second sentence, the speaker is telling you what (s)he thinks you did. |
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redset
Joined: 18 Mar 2006
Posts: 582
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| Think of suggest as meaning 'put an idea forward for consideration'. In the first sentence the person is saying 'I think it would be a good idea if you eat something before work', in the second the person is saying 'I am putting forward the idea (for everyone to think about)'. |
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Mary W. Ng
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: I suggest that you eat / ate ... |
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| 1- I suggest that you eat before leaving for work. |
This sentence is correct as is. The present subjunctive is used to express suggestions. The verb in the that clause does not change regardless of the preceding subject: 'I suggest that he eat before leaving for work.'
| Quote: |
| 2- I suggest that you ate before leaving for work. |
I don't think this sentence is correct, but I'm not 100% sure. I think a past subjunctive is used to express wishes, as in: 'I wish you ate before leaving for work.' 
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com |
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erik19283
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: I suggest that you eat / ate ... |
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| Quote: |
| Quote: |
| 2- I suggest that you ate before leaving for work. |
I don't think this sentence is correct, but I'm not 100% sure. I think a past subjunctive is used to express wishes, as in: 'I wish you ate before leaving for work.' |
So, according to what you are saying the sentence would be correct, but its meaning would be different from what was explained above by 2006, no?
Actually, it would fit better with your meaning of a "wish" for how I wanted to use it.
For example, if you think one is not careful about one's health, could you not say it that way to tell that person that you wish he/she would take time to eat before leaving for work? |
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Mary W. Ng
Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261
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| Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:09 am Post subject: Re: I suggest that you eat / ate ... |
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| Quote: |
| So, according to what you are saying the sentence would be correct, but its meaning would be different from what was explained above by 2006, no? |
I'm sorry if I got you confused. I merely said that I think 2 is incorrect but I am not 100% sure and that a past subjunctive is used in sentences expressing wishes.
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Actually, it would fit better with your meaning of a "wish" for how I wanted to use it.
For example, if you think one is not careful about one's health, could you not say it that way to tell that person that you wish he/she would take time to eat before leaving for work? |
You can say 'I wish you would take time to eat before leaving for work.'
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com |
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2006
Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 610
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| Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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Eric:
I don't know what you want to say, but the original sentences are about suggesting, not about wishing. The two are not the same. |
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