English grammar
Suggest / insist (that) + base form; says + should (reporting a recommendation)
Report advice and warnings, including the special verb form after suggest and insist.
From the scene She advised him not to sell
In short
After suggest or insist that, use the bare verb: suggested I take. Advise and warn take someone + to + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with insist (that) + subject + base form?
Options: he insisted that I try his mangoes · the bank suggested I take my time · my lawyer advised me to accept the offer
Show answer
insist (that) + subject + base form → he insisted that I try his mangoes
How it works
After suggest and insist that, English uses the bare base form of the verb (no -s, no past tense), whatever the tense of the reporting verb.
Good to know
The bank suggested I take my time, he insisted that I try his mangoes — never takes or to take (British speakers also say suggested I should take).
Good to know
Advise and warn someone (not) to + infinitive still work as before. Says + subject + should reports someone else's recommendation or order.
suggest (that) + subject + base form the bank suggested I take my time
Ramón
The bank suggested I take my time.
El banco me sugirió que no me diera prisa.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: My lawyer advised me to accept the offer · The bank suggested I take my time · He insisted that I try his mangoes
Show answer
Ramón
The bank suggested I take my time.
El banco me sugirió que no me diera prisa.
insist (that) + subject + base form he insisted that I try his mangoes
Ramón
He insisted that I try his mangoes. No idea why.
Insistió en que probara sus mangos. No sé por qué.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). No idea why.
Options: My lawyer advised me to accept the offer · He insisted that I try his mangoes · The bank suggested I take my time
Show answer
Ramón
He insisted that I try his mangoes. No idea why.
Insistió en que probara sus mangos. No sé por qué.
advise/warn someone (not) to (recap) my lawyer advised me to accept the offer
Ramón
My lawyer advised me to accept the offer.
Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara la oferta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: He insisted that I try his mangoes · My lawyer advised me to accept the offer · The bank suggested I take my time
Show answer
Ramón
My lawyer advised me to accept the offer.
Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara la oferta.
warn someone not to (recap) Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling
Ramón
Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling.
Doña Elena me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling · The bank suggested I take my time · He insisted that I try his mangoes
Show answer
Ramón
Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling.
Doña Elena me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender.
says + subject + should (a recommendation) he says you should call him this afternoon
Javi
I don't know. He says you should call him this afternoon without fail.
No lo sé. Dice que usted lo llame esta tarde sin falta.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I don't know. (blank) without fail.
Options: The bank suggested I take my time · He insisted that I try his mangoes · He says you should call him this afternoon
Show answer
Javi
I don't know. He says you should call him this afternoon without fail.
No lo sé. Dice que usted lo llame esta tarde sin falta.
Common mistake
Not taking or to take here. The base form, even though this is in the past.
The bank suggested I take my time.
El banco me sugirió que no me diera prisa.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| suggest (that) + subject + base form | the bank suggested I take my time |
|---|---|
| insist (that) + subject + base form | he insisted that I try his mangoes |
| advise/warn someone (not) to (recap) | my lawyer advised me to accept the offer |
| warn someone not to (recap) | Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling |
| says + subject + should (a recommendation) | he says you should call him this afternoon |
More lines from the story
- RamónWell, tell him I'll call him... when there's a lift.Pues dile que lo llamaré... cuando haya ascensor.