(From A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe)
Part I, Aberfan, chapter 2 (The end of the dinner party)
"Please share with gathered institute members." . . . "Embalmers needed urgently at Aberfan. Bring equipment and coffins. Police blocks surround village; password Summers." . . . 'I suggest, gentlemen, those who feel able to answer this call for help, have a strong cup of coffee and be on your way. The rest of us will try and enjoy the remainder of the evening on your behalf.
My problem is the bare infinitive of "have" and "be" in this sentence. Do you take this bare infinitive to be the base form of the verb of an imperative clause or do you complement "should" to the sentence – . . . those who feel able to answer . . . , should have a strong cup of coffee and be on your way.?
Best Answer
You can take it either way. I first read have and be as imperative; and the vocative gentlemen, supports that reading.
But they could also be so-called "subjunctive" (i.e. base form) after "suggest". That reading will take those who feel able to answer this call for help as the subject of the dependent clause, rather than another vocative.