[NEW] Do not say ‘suggest (someone) to do something’. | suggest – NATAVIGUIDES

NevenaT said:

If someone asks

“Who do you suggest for the part of Hamlet?”

, can you answer:

“I suggest Bill.”

?

If the answer is positive, then why couldn’t you say “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”?

In that sentence the

participle phrase

is just used as a

modifier

of a noun phrase

“Bill playing the part of Hamlet”

, it functions basically as an

adjective

, nothing more.
I have no idea, it just seems grammatical. I hope someone can explain.

I know for certain that you can use a

gerund phrase

(according to the Cambridge Dictionary), so I guess you can also say:

“I suggest Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet.”

Am I wrong?

Edited to add information.
@Loob I hope I’m not boring, but I’m really curious about this.If someone asks, can you answer:If the answer is positive, then why couldn’t you say “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”?In that sentence theis just used as aof a noun phrase, it functions basically as an, nothing more.I have no idea, it just seems grammatical. I hope someone can explain.I know for certain that you can use a(according to the Cambridge Dictionary), so I guess you can also say:Am I wrong?Edited to add information.Click to expand…

As a student of HCMC University of Social science and Humanity with the major of English Language.
As what I learned from college, you can say : “I suggest Bill (should) play the part of hamlet.”
The structure is : To suggest someone (that) S + (should) + V + Object …
Or to suggest someone (should) do something.
For this context it can be considered as an advice or an invitation.
For gerund, we should give a certain context as :
Bill asked me if I had any idea for his role.
I suggested playing the part of Hamlet.

For your example, “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”, you may misunderstand it as Adjective Clause, I suggest Bill (who plays) playing the part of Hamlet that he (should) do something.

If you just say : “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”, it can be a complete sentence or it can be a sentence that lacks of meaning/modifiers for the main verb suggest ( suggest someone do something) now it lacks do something part.

To make it clear, it depends on some certain contexts.
The 1st context :
Tom asked me if I had any idea for the one who will take the leading role in the next play.
I suggested Bill playing the part of Hamlet. Now, playing the part of Hamlet is adjective clause modifying for the noun Bill.

The 2nd context:
There are 2 Bills in my class, the first one is Bill who plays the part of Hercules and the second one is Bill who plays the part of Hamlet.
Then I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet that he should come early to prepare for his play carefully.
Finally, for “I suggest Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet”.
Put it into a certain contexts :
Teacher wants to know which performance of Bill is better, Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet or Bill’s playing the part of Hercules.
I suggest Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet.

As a student of HCMC University of Social science and Humanity with the major of English Language.As what I learned from college, you can say : “I suggest Bill (should) play the part of hamlet.”The structure is : To suggest someone (that) S + (should) + V + Object …Or to suggest someone (should) do something.For this context it can be considered as an advice or an invitation.For gerund, we should give a certain context as :Bill asked me if I had any idea for his role.I suggested playing the part of Hamlet.For your example, “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”, you may misunderstand it as Adjective Clause, I suggest Bill (who plays) playing the part of Hamlet that he (should) do something.If you just say : “I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet”, it can be a complete sentence or it can be a sentence that lacks of meaning/modifiers for the main verb suggest ( suggest someone do something) now it lacks do something part.To make it clear, it depends on some certain contexts.The 1st context :Tom asked me if I had any idea for the one who will take the leading role in the next play.I suggested Bill playing the part of Hamlet. Now, playing the part of Hamlet is adjective clause modifying for the noun Bill.The 2nd context:There are 2 Bills in my class, the first one is Bill who plays the part of Hercules and the second one is Bill who plays the part of Hamlet.Then I suggest Bill playing the part of Hamlet that he should come early to prepare for his play carefully.Finally, for “I suggest Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet”.Put it into a certain contexts :Teacher wants to know which performance of Bill is better, Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet or Bill’s playing the part of Hercules.I suggest Bill’s playing the part of Hamlet.

suggest (something) to (one)

1. To present some evidence of something to one; to imply, express, or make evident something indirectly to one. Often constructed as “suggest to one something.”

His hesitation suggested a lack of commitment to Sarah.

The whole situation suggests to me a breakdown of communication.

2. To propose something to one; to offer something for one’s consideration.

I suggested a different approach to my boss that might yield better results.

The professor suggested a few places where the students could find resources for their projects.

3. To make a recommendation of something to one.

She suggested the steak to me, but I really had a hankering for chicken.

I suggest this book to all of my clients.

suggest for (someone or something)

1. To recommend something for a particular task. A noun or pronoun is used between “suggest” and “for.”

I always suggest white vinegar for getting rid of bad odors in your washing machine.

Someone suggested peppermint and eucalyptus oils for getting rid of spiders in our house.

2. To recommend something to help someone or something. A noun or pronoun is used between “suggest” and “for.”

The pharmacist suggested this cough syrup for my daughter.

My mother suggested honey and lemon for my sore throat.

I would suggest a complete factory reset for your device. It’s the only way to wipe out the virus completely.

3. To recommend or nominate someone for a particular role or position or as a recipient of some award. A noun or pronoun is used between “suggest” and “for.”

I’ve suggested you for the new managerial position, so expect a call from our head office any day now for an interview.

I can confidently suggest Janet for the role.

I had no ideas my coworkers had suggested me for the award.

4. To suggest that someone ought to enter into a romantic relationship with someone else. A noun or pronoun is used between “suggest” and “for.”

She suggested her brother for me, but the two of us just didn’t have any chemistry.

I’ve stopped suggesting people for my friends, because it ends up being really awkward for everyone if it doesn’t work out between them.

suggest itself to (one)

Of an idea, to come into one’s mind seemingly out of nowhere.

A plan to take over the company suggested itself to Samantha.

An exciting new idea suggested itself to me while I was listening to the speaker give his presentation.

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.