Prepositions after verbs

How to use “suggest” with prepositions

Suggest is commonly used with to when naming the listener and with by when introducing a method. The verb often takes no preposition before the idea itself.

Quick answer

Suggest to vs. suggest by

Use suggest to someone when naming the person who receives the suggestion. Use suggest by only when by introduces the method or means, not the object of the suggestion itself.

She suggested to her manager that they leave early.
The guide suggested a different route.
He solved the issue by suggesting a compromise.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
suggest + idea

Introducing a proposal directly

Suggest often takes a noun, noun phrase, or clause without a preposition.

They suggested a new schedule.
I suggest that we wait.
2
suggest to + person

Naming the listener

Use to before the person receiving the suggestion.

She suggested to the team that they revise the draft.
I suggested to him a later meeting time.
3
suggest by + method

Showing means or method

By can introduce the method used to suggest something, often in passive structures or with -ing forms.

The change was introduced by suggesting smaller weekly goals.
She encouraged discussion by suggesting anonymous feedback.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
suggest to
He suggested to his friend that they call first.
standard when naming the listener
suggest by
She improved morale by suggesting shorter meetings.
by introduces the means or method
suggest something
They suggested a new policy.
very common structure with no preposition
suggest for
I suggest this option for the project.
for belongs to the following noun phrase, not directly to suggest

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using suggest me

Suggest does not usually take a direct object person before the idea.

✕ She suggested me a hotel. ✓ She suggested a hotel to me.

Using suggest by for the listener

By does not introduce the person receiving the suggestion.

✕ He suggested by his boss to wait. ✓ He suggested to his boss that they wait.

Adding unnecessary to before an idea

Do not use to before the thing being suggested.

✕ I suggest to a break. ✓ I suggest a break.

Confusing suggest and recommend

Suggest is commonly followed by a clause or idea, not an infinitive with an object person.

✕ She suggested him to leave. ✓ She suggested that he leave.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She suggested ___ her colleague that they postpone the launch.
2. They improved communication by ___ weekly check-ins.
3. Choose the most natural sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

Can suggest be followed by to?

Yes. Use suggest to before the person receiving the suggestion.

Is suggest by correct?

It can be correct when by introduces a method, as in by suggesting a change.

Do I need a preposition after suggest?

Often no. Suggest commonly takes the proposed idea directly.

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