Click here to play!

suggest that S (should)

Click here to play
   Share on Facebook  
Stenka25  #352308  Wed, 18 Apr 07 02:33 AM
 

The following comes from a test done a few days ago.


 We were on vacation at my parents' place in Phoenix, glad to be away from the bitter Edmonton winter. Our two boys, in their early teens, were demanding of everyone's time and attention. When it was suggested we (A)[go / went] to the shopping mall, everybody but my wife was enthusiastic. She begged off, insisting she (B)[want / wanted] to get some baking done that afternoon. We found out later, in the absence of any new cookies or cakes, that (C)[what / when] she had meant was indeed "baking" alone in the 80 degree sunshine.

    (A)          (B)             (C)

① go          want           what

② go          want           when

③ go          wanted          what

④ went        want           when

⑤ went        wanted          what


It says The answer is ③.


But I think it's only right in American English.

But one grammar book, Advanced English Practice, says 'went' is possible in this case.

According to the BOOK,

 

❶ 'Should' is often used in a 'that' clause, after verbs like suggest, recommend, require, decide, ect.:

 

❷ 'Should' is sometimes omitted.

 

❸ The verb from is then sometimes 'regularized' to give the 'normal' sequence of tenses:

   I suggested (that) he took legal advice.


So, I think in "When it was suggested we (A)[go / went] to the shopping mall" 'went' is also possible instead of 'go.' So ⑤ is also a correct answer.


Am I right?


(I also have another example of past tense in that clause.


In the book, HarryPotter #4, the Goblet of Fire


<In Scholastic - USA>

* Mr Weasley called a halt to the verbal replays and insisted that everyone  go to bed.


<In Bloomsbury -British >

* Mr Weasley called a halt to the verbal replays and insisted that everyone went to bed.


  
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Jul 13 2006
Seoul, South Korea
Full Member (186)
CalifJim  #352346  Wed, 18 Apr 07 05:14 AM
You are probably right.  I can only answer from the viewpoint of AmE.  As far as I know, here in the U.S. your points 1 and 2 apply, but I'm not familiar with cases where point 3 applies.  Here we would use

It was suggested we should go to the mall.
It was suggested we go to the mall.


But not:

It was suggested we went to the mall.

This last one sounds quite peculiar to my American ear!

CJ

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004
California
Veteran Member (16,557)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche
Stenka25  #352715  Thu, 19 Apr 07 03:39 AM

Thanks, especially to you, Mr. Guru.

You've given me a lot of precious opinion.

Thanks again.

(I'm Korean. And I read American books as well as British books.

And that thing have almost haunted me for years.

So I posted the question.

Thanks.)

  
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions