Making Suggestions in Spanish: I suggest that... (Sugerir)
que and use the subjunctive to make natural, polite Spanish suggestions.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When you suggest that someone else do something, use the verb 'sugerir' followed by 'que' and the subjunctive mood.
- Use the indicative for facts, but the subjunctive for suggestions: 'Sugiero que vayas'.
- The subject of the first verb must be different from the subject of the second verb.
- If there is no 'que', use the infinitive: 'Sugiero ir' (I suggest going).
Overview
Ever tried to suggest a Netflix show to a Spanish friend and ended up sounding like a drill sergeant?
In English, we say "I suggest that you watch this."
It sounds pretty straightforward, right?
But in Spanish, suggestions live in a different world.
They don't live in the world of facts.
They live in the world of possibilities and influence.
This is why we use a special mood called the subjunctive.
Using sugerir (to suggest) is your first real step into this mood.
It’s like moving from black-and-white TV to 4K color.
Suddenly, your sentences have more flavor and nuance.
Don't let the word "subjunctive" scare you off.
It’s just a way to show you aren't the boss of everyone.
You are just throwing an idea out into the universe.
Think of it as the "polite influencer" mode of Spanish.
Making suggestions is a huge part of daily life.
You do it when picking a restaurant on Google Maps.
You do it when telling a friend to delete a cringe TikTok.
You even do it when suggesting a new skin in a game.
In Spanish, the verb sugerir is your best friend for this.
But sugerir is a bit of a high-maintenance friend.
It demands that the verb following it changes its form.
This change signals that the action hasn't happened yet.
It might happen, or it might not—it's up to the other person.
This "uncertainty" is exactly what the subjunctive is for.
If you use the regular (indicative) form, you sound too certain.
You might even sound like you are reporting a fact.
"I suggest that you are going" sounds weird in any language.
So, we learn the "que" bridge and the subjunctive dance.
It makes you sound natural, modern, and way more chill.
Plus, it’s a great way to impress your Spanish-speaking crush.
Just don't suggest they change their haircut on the first date.
That's a different grammar rule called "how to stay single."
How This Grammar Works
sugerir correctly, you need a specific sentence structure.que.que as a literal bridge between your brain and theirs.sugerir.Formation Pattern
sugerir for the person making the suggestion.
sugerir has a stem change (e to ie).
Yo sugiero, Tú sugieres, Él sugiere.
que right after the verb.
tú, él, la amiga, etc.
-ar verbs: use -e endings (e.g., hablar -> hable).
-er and -ir verbs: use -a endings (e.g., comer -> coma).
sugerir (Present Indicative):
Yo sugiero | I suggest
Tú sugieres | You suggest
Él sugiere | He/She suggests
Nosotros sugerimos | We suggest
Vosotros sugerís | You all suggest
Ellos sugieren | They suggest
sugerir only changes to ie in the "boot" forms.
Nosotros and vosotros stay regular in the indicative.
Yo sugiero que... + Subjunctive.
When To Use It
sugerir.Common Mistakes
que.Yo sugiero tú ir.que.Sugiero que vas is wrong. It should be Sugiero que vayas.sugerir.sugiero, not sugero. Don't drop that i!la ensalada, don't call it el ensalada.Contrast With Similar Patterns
recomendar (to recommend).sugerir.Te sugiero que... vs Te recomiendo que....Sugerir is slightly softer and more indirect.Recomendar feels a bit more like expert advice.querer (to want).Quiero que vayas (I want you to go) is much stronger.sugerir.pedir (to ask/request).Te pido que... is more formal and serious.Sugerir is on the cool, relaxed end of that spectrum.Quick FAQ
Do I always have to use the subjunctive after sugerir que?
Yes, if there is a change of subject. It’s a grammatical law.
Can I just say Sugiero ir?
Yes! If there is no specific person (just "going" in general), use the infinitive.
Is sugerir used differently in Spain vs. Mexico?
The grammar is the same, but the verbs you suggest might change!
What if I'm suggesting something to myself?
You usually use the infinitive or Sugiero que nosotros... + subjunctive.
Is the subjunctive hard to learn?
It takes practice, but once you get the "mood," it becomes second nature.
Can I use sugerir in a text message?
Absolutely, it’s very common in professional and social texts.
Does sugerir change in the past tense?
Yes, but let's stick to the present for now. One step at a time!
What is a "stem change"?
It's when the middle of the verb changes when you conjugate it.
Why is it called a "mood"?
Because it reflects the speaker's attitude or feeling about the action.
Can I use emojis with my suggestions?
Please do. A 💡 or 🥘 makes a suggestion much friendlier!
Subjunctive Conjugation for Suggestions
| Subject | -ar (Hablar) | -er (Comer) | -ir (Vivir) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yo
|
hable
|
coma
|
viva
|
|
Tú
|
hables
|
comas
|
vivas
|
|
Él/Ella/Ud.
|
hable
|
coma
|
viva
|
|
Nosotros
|
hablemos
|
comamos
|
vivamos
|
|
Vosotros
|
habléis
|
comáis
|
viváis
|
|
Ellos/Ellas/Uds.
|
hablen
|
coman
|
vivan
|
Meanings
The verb 'sugerir' is used to propose an action or idea to another person. When the suggestion involves a different subject performing the action, the subjunctive mood is required.
Direct Suggestion
Proposing an action for another person.
“Sugiero que salgamos temprano.”
“Ella sugiere que tú leas este libro.”
Impersonal Suggestion
Suggesting an action without a specific person.
“Sugiero ir al cine.”
“Sugiero comer algo ligero.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Sugiero que + Subj.
|
Sugiero que estudies.
|
|
Negative
|
No sugiero que + Subj.
|
No sugiero que salgas.
|
|
Interrogative
|
¿Sugieres que + Subj.?
|
¿Sugieres que vayamos?
|
|
Same Subject
|
Sugiero + Infinitive
|
Sugiero ir al cine.
|
|
Impersonal
|
Se sugiere que + Subj.
|
Se sugiere que se espere.
|
|
Past Suggestion
|
Sugerí que + Imp. Subj.
|
Sugerí que vinieras.
|
Formality Spectrum
Sugiero que nos reunamos a las diez. (Meeting)
Sugiero que nos veamos a las diez. (Meeting)
Sugiero que quedemos a las diez. (Meeting)
Sugiero que caigamos a las diez. (Meeting)
The Suggestion Flow
Different Subject
- que + subj that + subjunctive
Same Subject
- infinitive infinitive
Indicative vs Subjunctive
Decision Tree
Are the subjects the same?
Common Suggestion Verbs
Influence
- • Sugerir
- • Recomendar
- • Aconsejar
- • Pedir
Examples by Level
Sugiero que estudies.
I suggest that you study.
Sugiero que comas.
I suggest that you eat.
Sugiero que hables.
I suggest that you speak.
Sugiero que leas.
I suggest that you read.
Sugiero que vayamos al cine.
I suggest that we go to the cinema.
Sugiero que compres este libro.
I suggest that you buy this book.
Sugiero que descanses un poco.
I suggest that you rest a little.
Sugiero que llames a tu madre.
I suggest that you call your mother.
El profesor sugiere que terminemos el proyecto hoy.
The teacher suggests that we finish the project today.
Sugiero que busques una solución alternativa.
I suggest that you look for an alternative solution.
Sugiero que no lleguemos tarde.
I suggest that we don't arrive late.
Sugiero que practiques más el subjuntivo.
I suggest that you practice the subjunctive more.
Sugiero que se considere esta propuesta con cuidado.
I suggest that this proposal be considered carefully.
Sugiero que no se tome ninguna decisión precipitada.
I suggest that no hasty decision be taken.
Sugiero que analicemos los datos antes de actuar.
I suggest that we analyze the data before acting.
Sugiero que se mantenga la calma en esta situación.
I suggest that calm be maintained in this situation.
Sugiero que, dado el contexto, se reevalúen las prioridades.
I suggest that, given the context, priorities be reevaluated.
Sugiero que se implemente un protocolo más riguroso.
I suggest that a more rigorous protocol be implemented.
Sugiero que se fomente la participación ciudadana.
I suggest that citizen participation be encouraged.
Sugiero que se priorice la calidad sobre la cantidad.
I suggest that quality be prioritized over quantity.
Sugiero que se proceda con la debida diligencia en este asunto.
I suggest that we proceed with due diligence in this matter.
Sugiero que se arbitren los medios necesarios para la resolución.
I suggest that the necessary means for resolution be arbitrated.
Sugiero que se soslayen las diferencias menores por el bien común.
I suggest that minor differences be overlooked for the common good.
Sugiero que se vislumbre un horizonte de cooperación mutua.
I suggest that a horizon of mutual cooperation be envisioned.
Easily Confused
Both take the subjunctive, but 'querer' expresses desire while 'sugerir' expresses a recommendation.
Learners often use 'que' when the subject is the same.
Decir can be a command (indicative) or a suggestion (subjunctive).
Common Mistakes
Sugiero que tú vas.
Sugiero que tú vayas.
Sugiero tú vayas.
Sugiero que tú vayas.
Sugiero que yo voy.
Sugiero ir.
Sugiero que vas a ir.
Sugiero que vayas.
Sugiero que ellos van.
Sugiero que ellos vayan.
Sugiero que nosotros vamos.
Sugiero que nosotros vayamos.
Sugiero que tú comes.
Sugiero que tú comas.
Sugiero que hablas.
Sugiero que hables.
Sugiero que escribes.
Sugiero que escribas.
Sugiero que vives.
Sugiero que vivas.
Sugiero que se hace.
Sugiero que se haga.
Sentence Patterns
Sugiero que ___ ___.
No sugiero que ___ ___.
¿Sugieres que ___ ___?
Sugiero ___ al cine.
Real World Usage
Sugiero que sigas esta cuenta.
Sugiero que nos veamos.
Sugiero que implementemos este cambio.
Sugiero que visites el museo.
La app sugiere que pruebes esto.
El profesor sugiere que leamos el capítulo.
Subject Check
No Indicative
Politeness
Regional Variation
Smart Tips
Use 'Sugiero que' + subjunctive to sound polite.
Don't use 'que' + subjunctive if you are the subject.
Use 'Se sugiere que' for a formal tone.
If you are influencing someone, it's almost always subjunctive.
Pronunciation
Sugerir
The 'g' before 'e' is a soft /h/ sound.
Suggestion
Sugiero que vayas... ↑
Rising intonation at the end indicates a polite suggestion.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Sugerir is a 'S' verb for Subjunctive. If you suggest, you must change the mood!
Visual Association
Imagine a fork in the road. One path is 'Infinitive' (same person), the other is 'Subjunctive' (different person). You are the guide pointing to the Subjunctive path.
Rhyme
Si sugieres que otro haga, el subjuntivo siempre paga.
Story
Maria wants to go to the park. She tells her friend, 'Sugiero que vayamos al parque'. Because she is including her friend, she uses 'vayamos'. If she were going alone, she would simply say 'Sugiero ir'.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 suggestions for your day using 'Sugiero que...'.
Cultural Notes
In Spain, 'sugerir' is often used in professional settings to avoid being too direct.
Mexicans often use 'sugerir' but might prefer 'recomendar' for personal advice.
Argentines use 'sugerir' with the 'vos' form, so the subjunctive is 'vayas'.
Comes from Latin 'sugerere', meaning 'to put under' or 'to suggest'.
Conversation Starters
¿Qué sugieres que hagamos hoy?
¿Sugieres que estudie más?
¿Qué sugieres que comamos en este restaurante?
¿Sugieres que cambiemos nuestra estrategia?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Sugiero que tú (ir) al cine.
Find and fix the mistake:
Sugiero que nosotros comemos.
Which is correct?
Vayan al cine. (Sugiero...)
A: ¿Qué hago? B: Sugiero que ___ (leer) este libro.
que / sugiero / vayas / tú
Sugiero que...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesSugiero que tú (ir) al cine.
Find and fix the mistake:
Sugiero que nosotros comemos.
Which is correct?
Vayan al cine. (Sugiero...)
A: ¿Qué hago? B: Sugiero que ___ (leer) este libro.
que / sugiero / vayas / tú
Sugiero que...
Sugiero que...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesÉl sugiere que nosotros ___ (hablar) con el jefe.
que / Sugiero / abras / tú / {el|m} regalo
I suggest that she buys the phone.
They suggest that you write a post.
Match the pairs:
Yo sugero que vengas.
Te sugiero que ___ (beber) mucha agua.
I suggest that you (formal) wait here.
fotos / saquen / que / Sugiero / ustedes
We suggest that you delete the app.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Because 'sugerir' expresses influence, not a fact.
No, it is grammatically incorrect.
Use the infinitive: 'Sugiero ir'.
It is neutral and works in most contexts.
Yes, use the imperfect subjunctive.
Yes, 'recomendar' and 'aconsejar'.
Yes, the rule is universal.
Add 'no' before 'sugerir'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Je suggère que tu ailles
French subjunctive is often less frequently used in speech than Spanish.
Ich schlage vor, dass du gehst
German relies on modal verbs or specific verb forms rather than a mood shift.
〜したほうがいいです
Japanese is agglutinative and lacks a subjunctive mood.
أقترح أن تذهب
Arabic subjunctive is marked by a vowel change at the end of the verb.
我建议你去
Chinese lacks mood and tense conjugation entirely.
I suggest that you go
Spanish uses the subjunctive in almost all cases, whereas English prefers the infinitive or 'should'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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