"Tom suggested that Mary (a. went ; b. go) to university". Which of the enclosed word is correct? Why?

Answer 1

I'm symphathetic with those who suggest both are correct, but each has a different meaning. But there is a minor problem with (a), so if pressed to pick ONE I'd chose (b) "go".

Here's how it works:

b) "Tom suggested that Mary go to univerity." -- Correct. Meaning: Tom gave some advice -- that Mary should go to university. (The advice is directed to Mary, or to someone else who might influence Mary's actions.)

a) "Tom suggested that Mary went to university." This would mean, Tom HINTED to SOMEONE ELSE, or expressed aloud his GUESS, that Mary was, at the time of his speaking, attending university. (The suggestion is almost certainly NOT spoken to Mary, but to someone else about her .)

This is grammatically correct. But I'm not sure it's the most likely way someone would speak. It is somewhat more likely they would say:

c) "Tom suggested that Mary was going to university." (That is, she was a student attending there at the time he spoke about it.)
OR
d) "Tom suggested that Mary HAD GONE to university" (That is, she was a student some time BEFORE Tom's spoke about it.)

Answer 2

I think they are both grammatically correct, but the meanings are different.
1) "Tom suggested that Mary (should) go to university" is a proposal of action. Tom thought she should go to university.
2) "Tom suggested that Mary went to university" sounds like Tom guessed that Mary had likely been to university based on the circumstance or information perceived by Tom.

What do others suggest?
I suggested both a or b were grammatically correct but with different meaning.
see... :)

Answer 3

"Tom suggested that Mary go to university."

When the speaker begins to speak, he is talking about something that has already happened (past tense): Tom suggested...

Just as the speaker says 'suggested' (past tense), he shifts into the timeline that he is speaking about. For example, if Tom had said that yesterday evening, then after saying "Tom suggested", the speaker has properly moved into 'yesterday evening when Tom was saying whatever he was saying'.

Now the verbs that would follow -for- the action of 'Tom suggested' would be in the present tense. So all that 'Tom suggested' would be in the present tense. To elaborate on your sentence,

Tom suggested that Mary -go- to university and not -remain- at home.

Once the suggestion (action) is over, the speaker will again have to use past tense to turn the sentence pointer to another action in past (Mary's reply). Such as,

Tom suggested that Mary go to the university and not remain at home. Mary replied that she would -do- so.

Once the speaker's pointer turns the timeline to a certain main verb in past (replied), then all the 'actions' (verbs) arising from that would again be in present tense (do).

Answer 4

B. go
The suggestion infers that Mary hasn't gone to a university. Tom wouldn't suggest it if she was already enrolled in a university; unless Mary wants to change colleges. In that case....either could be correct! Trick question? In that case I would say a and b!

Answer 5

The way I see it Tom suggested (in the past) Mary do something in the future. So correct word would be GO because she hasn't done it yet.

Answer 6

"Tom suggested that Mary went to university" - here Tom has suggested that Mary should have started going to the university already.
"Tom suggested that Mary go to university" - here Tom has suggested that Mary should start going to the university now or in the near future.
So I guess that both are correct.

Answer 7

i think the formation of your sentence is wrong.
the sentence could be formed as, "Tom suggested Mary to go the University".but if you want to retain "that" in your sentence, then i think you could say it as, "Tom suggested that Mary had gone(or went) to the University.

Answer 8

it depends on if it was past tense or future tense. tom suggested that mary went to university when he was talking to rick. or tom suggested that mary go to university next year. it depends on the rest of the sentence

Answer 9

Oooh - I guess the jury is out on this one!

I thought initially a) went - past tense to agree with the past participle of suggest. Then I read through everyone's answers and stopped to ponder for a little while.

After much deliberation, I decided that a) went IS the right answer for a British person like myself. Using the word b) go in my opinion, would be using an Americanism.

Answer 10

It depends on what you're trying to say!

If it's something Tom suggests that she's already done....went. If it's a plan for her to do in the the future.....go.