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TCC
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:18 am Post subject: Are the two sentences correct? |
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Hi,
Are these two sentences correct?
1. The best thing to do is start looking for a larger office now.
2. I suggest you send a memo to everyone in the office.
For 1., why not say "The best thing to do is TO start..."
For 2., why not say "I suggest you TO send..."
Thanks for your replies.
Regards,
TCC |
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dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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| Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:09 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
1. The best thing to do is start looking for a larger office now.
2. I suggest you send a memo to everyone in the office.
For 1., why not say "The best thing to do is TO start..." |
The to is not incorrect, but is simply unnecessary. Native speakers tend to leave it out, but you may include if you wish.
| Quote: |
| For 2., why not say "I suggest you TO send..." |
It's a grammar mistake. Suggest cannot be followed by an infinitive with to. It can be followed by a THAT-clause, where that may be omitted. The main verb in the clause may take simple present tense:
I suggest (that) Tom attends the meeting tomorrow.
The main verb in the clause may also be in the subjunctive mood, which in this case is the bare infinitive (no to):
I suggest (that) Tom attend the meeting tomorrow.
Use of the subjunctive after suggest is a bit more common in the US.
While I'm at it, I may as well throw this in. This is probably the single most common mistake with suggest:
My teacher suggested me to study some of the common uses of the subjunctive. X 
The to is wrong for the reason I have already stated. However, note that a pronoun following suggest cannot be an object pronoun: it must be a subject pronoun:
My teacher suggested I study some of the common uses of the subjunctive. 
Hope this helps.
Greg |
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TCC
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:29 am Post subject: Thanks |
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Greg:
Thank you for your reply and explanation.
Regards,
TCC |
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