Syntax

Verb patterns: verb + -ing

Three verbs with similar meaning that take the pattern verb + -ing are recommend, advise and suggest.

• She advises keeping a timer by the computer.
• They recommend arriving on time for the performance.
• She suggests calling him to find out what has happened.

The pattern changes if the person who is receiving the recommendation is mentioned.

	Recommend/suggest	+ noun	+ verb
They	recommend (that)	the audience	arrive	on time for the performance.
She	suggests (that)	we	call	him to find out what has happened.

Note that advise cannot be used with this pattern.

• She advises that addicts keep a timer by the computer.

Instead, with advise, we can use the infinitive.

• She advises addicts to keep a timer by the computer.

We can use passive forms of recommend and advise.

• Addicts are recommended to keep a timer by the computer.
• Addicts are advised to keep a timer by the computer.

Note that suggest cannot be used with this pattern.

• Addicts are suggested to keep a timer by the computer.