propose + person + verb

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi all,

I still have problems with clauses like

“He proposed you go home”. So in this case, which is correct:

  1. He proposed you go home.

  2. He proposed you to go home.

  3. He proposed that you go home.

  4. He proposed you went home.

  5. He proposed that you went home.

  6. He proposed you will go home.

7 … something else ?

Thanks

2

He proposed that you should go home. (Though the tense depends on exactly what context you want to use it in!)

3

Correct:

  1. He proposed you go home.
  2. He proposed that you go home.
    Note that this is the subjunctive, so you would also say, “He proposed that she go home,” not “…she goes home.”

This is also correct, but it doesn’t mean the same thing:
2. He proposed you to go home.
This means that he told another person or group that you are the right person to send home. “We need to send somebody home. Who are we going to choose?” “I propose him to go home.”

Incorrect:
4. He proposed you went home.
5. He proposed that you went home.
6. He proposed you will go home.

Not wrong, but often used by people who have no command of the subjuctive:
He proposed that you should go home.

4

Heh! That’s me and everyone I know put in our place then!
Perhaps I ought to go home.

:smiley:
Actually, this is what I meant by context. . . I think.

5

You oughtn’t to go home, BN. Jamie is just used to employing decisive wording with the great authority as a native AmE speaker.

BTW, I would like to think the difference between “He proposed that you go home” and “He proposed that you should go home” lies only in whether should is omitted or not, and the do-form is the development of the should-do-form. (Just my two cents)

6

Jamie (K),

your anwer is very comprehensive and useful!

Thank you very much.

7

Moreso than British English speakers, Haihao?

8

Well, I’d think English is now a language of Earth but was the language of Shakespeare. No matter how many people outside UK speak or use it, if we forget about this fact, we are not very good. Many of my fellowmen forgot about the fact that our language and culture were not purely made in Japan. The oblivion narrows Japan.

If the authority were to be concerned, it should pertain to the English people for the language is called English.

Haihao

9

:wink:

I know that languages all evolve, but I am often saddened by the common errors made by a number of native English speakers. Some examples of incorrect usage, very common in the UK:

If you buy one, you can get another one for free.
10 items or less at this checkout.
Banana’s are cheap to buy now.
I seen him do it.
They was here yesterday.
And my personal hated incorrect expression:
I would of done it.

There comes a point when those who learn English become far more competent users of the language than those who speak it naturally.

10

The feeling is mutual. :slight_smile:

Many “non-fake” Japanese translators say that the real problem is not their English but Japanese.

An American scholar (of Tokyo University) speaks far more beautiful and pinpoint acquired genuine Japanese on TV than most Japanese.