suggest doing something, suggest (that) someone do something
suggest to do something, suggest someone to do something
When people ask me what I’m doing on my day off, I say “I’m not doing anything.” They then suggest doing something. To which I reply “You must have misunderstood me when I said I wasn’t doing anything. It means I have specifically set time aside to do nothing.”
✓ I’d suggest reinstalling the operating system.
✗ I’d suggest *to reinstall* the operating system.
Suggerirei di reinstallare il sistema operativo.
✓ The receptionist suggested that we speak to the manager.
✗ The receptionist *suggested us to speak* to the manager.
La receptionist ci ha suggerito di parlare con il direttore.
The verb suggest doesn’t take an infinitive! It is used in two main constructions.
✓ Jack suggested going for a drink. (suggest + -ing: especially when the suggestion includes the speaker)
✗ Jack suggested *to go* for a drink.
Jack ha proposto di andare a bere qualcosa.
✓ The clerk suggested that I return in the afternoon.
✗ The clerk suggested *me to return* in the afternoon.
L’impiegato mi ha suggerito/consigliato di tornare nel pomeriggio.
As the examples show, the English and Italian constructions are quite different!
Now try the quiz below! There are FIVE answers. The pass mark is 100% (5 out of 5). Click on the blue arrows to go to the next or previous question. You can check your answers immediately or when you’ve finished the quiz.