Suggest 是個及物動詞,主要意為「建議,提議」。這個動詞使用頻率之高自不待言,幾乎可以說是「無日無之」。Suggest 後面可以接名詞 (片語)、動名詞、that 子句 (由連接詞 that 所引導的名詞子句) 或 what/who/where 等 wh-字所引導的名詞子句。
Suggest 可接名詞 (片語) 當受詞。例如:
- John suggested an inexpensive restaurant near the school for the party. (約翰建議在學校附近一家平價餐廳舉行聚會)
- He suggests a little walk. (他建議去散會一下)
Suggest 可接動名詞當受詞,但不可接不定詞。這種句型意為「建議做某事」,但不必提及行動或動作的執行者,因為行動或動作的執行者在上下文中不言可喻。但若在動名詞的前面加上所有格,即可明確指出行動或動作的執行者。例如:
- Phil suggested going in his car. (菲爾提議坐他的車子去) (正)
Phil suggested to go in his car. (誤)
Phil suggested our going in his car. (菲爾提議我們坐他的車子去) (正) - I suggest going to the library on Sunday. (我建議禮拜天上圖書館) (正)
I suggest to go to the library on Sunday. (誤)
I suggest our going to the library on Sunday. (我建議我們禮拜天上圖書館) (正) - I suggested putting the matter to the school. (我提議把這件事交給學校處理) (正)
I suggested to put the matter to the school. (誤) - If there is a mechanical problem, I suggest contacting the manufacturer directly. (若發生機械故障,我建議直接與製造廠商聯繫) (正)
If there is a mechanical problem, I suggest to contact the manufacturer directly. (誤)