Question 1

Why is "I suggest you to go" wrong?

Accepted Answer

"Suggest" cannot be followed by a person + "to" + infinitive — this is one of the most common grammar mistakes at intermediate level. The correct patterns are: "I suggest going" (suggest + gerund), "I suggest that you go" (suggest + that-clause), or "I suggest you go" (that-clause without "that"). "Recommend" works the same way: "I recommend you to visit" is wrong — say "I recommend visiting" or "I recommend that you visit." The reason is that "suggest" and "recommend" describe the action itself, not what a specific person should do. "Advise" is different — it does take person + to + infinitive: "I advise you to go" is perfectly correct. Learning this distinction prevents one of the most frequently penalised errors in B1 and B2 Cambridge exams.

Question 2

What is the difference between suggest, recommend, and advise?

Accepted Answer

"Suggest" is the most general — it proposes an idea without strong pressure: "I suggest we eat outside" (a casual idea). "Recommend" is stronger — it carries the weight of personal experience or expertise: "I recommend the fish — it's excellent here" (I have tried it and endorse it). "Advise" is the most formal and authoritative — it often comes from a professional or expert: "The doctor advised me to stop smoking" (professional guidance). In strength: suggest (weakest) → recommend (medium) → advise (strongest). Grammar differs too: suggest and recommend use gerund or that-clause patterns, while advise can also use person + to-infinitive. All three are essential for B1-B2 level writing and speaking.

Question 3

How do I use suggest and recommend in formal writing?

Accepted Answer

In formal writing, "suggest" and "recommend" often use a that-clause with the base form of the verb (sometimes called the bare infinitive): "The committee suggests that the policy be reviewed" and "We recommend that he attend the meeting" (not "attends"). This formal structure avoids "should" and sounds more authoritative. It is more common in American English and academic writing, but it appears in British English formal contexts too. In less formal writing, you can add "should": "I suggest that he should attend." The gerund pattern is also acceptable in formal writing: "We recommend booking in advance." Avoid the person + to-infinitive pattern with suggest and recommend — it is always wrong regardless of formality level.

Suggest, Recommend, Advise Exercises

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