“Robert had suggested he invite her to his graduation . . .”

grammartense

(From A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe, Part I, Aberfan, chapter 11)

Robert had suggested he invite her to his graduation, telling William that he and Evelyn had exchanged letters over the past few months; friendly, open.

I think would/should is missing there and it has to be . . .

Robert had suggested he would/should invite her to his graduation . . . , right? However, invite could be a subjunctive there, or, maybe, the whole thing is a typo.

Best Answer

Adding would or should changes the meaning. That said, this pattern is used with these verbs. The bare or base form of the verb is used.

Pattern: verb of suggestion + that + subject + base verb Examples:

My friend recommended that John take a taxi home from the party.
The sales clerk suggested that Mary put the dress on hold.
Martha is advising that we finish our project today.

When verbs with the general meaning of “suggestion” (including advise, ask, demand, insist, prefer, propose, recommend, request, suggest, and urge) are used with a noun clause, we must use a base verb. The noun clause usually starts with the word that and contains a subject, base verb, and possibly an object. The noun clause usually occupies the object position of the main sentence: S + V + (that + S + V + O).

How to use recommend, advise, suggest

There are other patterns in that link but this one is related to this question. These verbs take a second verb that is a base verb.

This: Robert had suggested he invite her to his graduation. = YES.

Present tense examples also work:

  • He suggests she leave now.
  • They recommend he stay put.
  • I advise it be turned off.
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