Present Tense or Past Tense

Question

1. Ali suggested that we (come/came) back in the afternoon.

2. We could come back in the afternoon while Mr. Lee (was/would be) sleeping.

For Q1, I suppose the answer is "came" but somehow i saw a similar sentence in infinitive.

As for Q2, Can both "was and would be" be accepted?

Thanks in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1. Ali suggested that we come back in the afternoon.
2. We could come back in the afternoon while Mr. Lee (is/was/would be) sleeping.--- 'Is' is the usual.

Awence · Answer

Dear Micawber,

I do not understand why "come" in Q1 should be in infinitive form. Any reason. And what if this two sentences appear in a narrative essay? Shall we still use "come" and "is" when the sentences are not conversational.

Avangi · Answer

Hi. Could you please show the example of infinitive that you refer to?

In #1, I take "come" as subjunctive, referring to the future.

I take "came" as a suggestion about what might have happened in the past. It sounds a bit foolish in the first person.

I wonder when Rosie could have washed the dishes?
Reply: Ali suggested that she came back in the afternoon.

Edit. Okay, I see what you're talking about. We use the bare infinitive in forming tenses other than the simple present, but we don't "call it" the infinitive.

She did come back in the afternoon.
She will come back again tomorrow.
You should come back later.

MrPernickety · Answer

Avangi
I wonder when Rosie could have washed the dishes?

Reply: Ali suggested that she came back in the afternoon.

Hi, Avangi

I venture to point out that in that example of yours, "suggest" takes on a different meaning - it is akin to "think". In other words, Ali gave voice to his thoughts/ideas as to why the dishes were done - she must have come back and done the dishes, according to Ali.

On the other hand, if we said "Ali suggested that she come back in the afternoon", then this sentence would sound like an order, or premonition or even an indirect threat - if she hadn't come back in the afternoon, there would have been some serious repercussions for her to face later in the day, maybe she would have been bawled out/given the boot by Ali for not having come back.

I think I read about that fine distinction

Do you happen to agree ?

Thanks !

Avangi · Answer

Hi, Pernickety.
I agree that the meanings of "suggest" in the two examples are quite different, but I wouldn't exactly describe the distinction as "fine."

I agree that in the "came" example, "suggest" is akin to "think," with the distinction that "suggest" clearly implies that the opinion is put forward; while "think" allows that the opinion might be kept to one's self.
Ali suggested/thought that Rosie came in through the batroom window.
I believe Ali thought that babies came/come from the stork.

The subjunctive could be threatening, but I didn't read it that way.
I suggest you come home before midnight, young lady, if you know what's good for you.

I took the example as polite and helpful.
I'm sorry. Dr. Jones isn't here right now. He was called away on an emergency. I suggest you come back in a couple of hours.

In the "come" example, to suggest is to offer advice on a course of action.

Present Tense or Past Tense

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