Suggest Doing vs. Suggest To Do
Cambridge’s verb-pattern guidance uses “suggest + -ing” rather than direct “suggest + to-infinitive.” A clause such as “suggest (that) we go” is another standard option.
Use “suggest doing” when a verb follows “suggest” directly. Standard guidance does not use direct “suggest to do”; use an -ing form or a clause instead.
Key details
Choose the right form
| What follows suggest | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| an action proposed directly | suggest + -ing | Use the documented verb pattern. |
| a full proposition with a subject | suggest + (that) clause | Use the documented clause alternative. |
| direct to-infinitive naming the proposed action | suggest to do | Do not use this as the parallel complement to “suggest doing.” |
Quick tests
Proposal-shape test
Does the next element directly name the action being proposed?
If yes: Use “suggest + -ing.”
If no: If you need to name who should act, a finite clause can express that proposition clearly.
Caveat: The reviewed grammar source contrasts direct “suggest + -ing” with the unsupported direct “suggest + to-infinitive”; “suggest to someone” can occur when “to someone” identifies the recipient, which is a different structure.
Examples
I suggest checking the figures again before publication.
The proposed action follows “suggest” as an -ing form.
She suggested taking an earlier train.
The -ing clause directly names the proposed action.
They suggested that we meet outside the station.
A finite clause is a documented alternative when a subject is expressed.
Further guidance
Clause Alternative
A finite clause is also available, such as “suggest (that) someone does/do something,” depending on the variety and construction.
Direct Pattern
When another verb follows suggest directly, use the -ing form: “suggest doing,” not “suggest to do.”
To Boundary
“Suggest to someone that …” can contain “to,” but there “to” introduces the recipient; it is not the infinitive pattern “suggest to do.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Word patterns: suggest (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Direct suggest + verb pattern: use -ing rather than a to-infinitive; also documents a finite-clause alternative