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Tenacious Learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Question on Tenses

Hi teachers,
Why is the verb in the simple present in 'a' an in the simple past in 'b'?
a) Why did the driver suggest that Alex get into the back of the lorry?
b) What did the man do immediately after he saw they were in his car?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

In A, the finite verb is 'suggest' and 'get' is an infinitive: suggests/suggested/suggesting/etc someone get...

— Mister Micawber

  • In A, the finite verb is 'suggest' and 'get' is an infinitive: suggests/suggested/suggesting/etc someone get...
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4 Answers
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In A, the finite verb is 'suggest' and 'get' is an infinitive: suggests/suggested/suggesting/etc someone get...
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Get is a present subjunctive. The subjunctive is common after suggest, ask, demand etc. The simple present would be gets, not get. Should get could also be used instead of the subjunctive.

CB
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Hi teachers,
Thanks a lot for your replies. Emotion: smile

TS
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Yes, CB is right. I forgot about 'that'!
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