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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Pronouns and the subjunctive
Can somebody please tell me if my understanding on this topic is correct?
1. She suggests he buy a bike.
2. She tells him to buy a bike.
In sentence 1, we use 'buy' because we use the subjunctive (suggest).
In sentence 2, we use 'to buy' because 'tell' is not subjunctive, its just normal.
If this is correct so far, then what about 'he' and 'him'.
HE is a subjective pronoun, HIM is an objective pronoun.
Normally, any pronoun after a verb is in the objective.
She tells HIM to buy a bike.
But in sentence 1. She suggests He buy a bike.
we use HE becuase of this special subjunctive verb form.
It is not correct to say 'She suggests him to buy a bike'
It is not correct to say 'She suggets him buy a bike'
Is that correct, or close?
1. She suggests he buy a bike.
2. She tells him to buy a bike.
In sentence 1, we use 'buy' because we use the subjunctive (suggest).
In sentence 2, we use 'to buy' because 'tell' is not subjunctive, its just normal.
If this is correct so far, then what about 'he' and 'him'.
HE is a subjective pronoun, HIM is an objective pronoun.
Normally, any pronoun after a verb is in the objective.
She tells HIM to buy a bike.
But in sentence 1. She suggests He buy a bike.
we use HE becuase of this special subjunctive verb form.
It is not correct to say 'She suggests him to buy a bike'
It is not correct to say 'She suggets him buy a bike'
Is that correct, or close?
Top answer
" Suggest TO someone -- If you use the object form immediately after, it appears that "he" is what she is suggesting, not who is receiving the suggestion. " In that case "he" was what she was suggesting, not the recipient of the suggestion.
- " Suggest TO someone -- If you use the object form immediately after, it appears that "he" is what she is suggesting, not who is receiving the suggestion.
- " In that case "he" was what she was suggesting, not the recipient of the suggestion.
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2 Answers
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No, you would need to say "She suggests to him that he buy a bike" or "She suggests [that] he buy a bike."
Suggest TO someone -- If you use the object form immediately after, it appears that "he" is what she is suggesting, not who is receiving the suggestion.
You could say "She suggested him as a good choice for the job." In that case "he" was what she was suggesting, not the re
Suggest TO someone -- If you use the object form immediately after, it appears that "he" is what she is suggesting, not who is receiving the suggestion.
You could say "She suggested him as a good choice for the job." In that case "he" was what she was suggesting, not the re
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Would you say "if it were me, I'd fly to Bangor," or "if it were I..."?
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