suggests

Suggests is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb suggest. The core meaning is to put forward as a possibility, to hint at something, or to indicate indirectly. It can convey offering an option, proposing a course of action, or implying a conclusion without stating it outright.

Etymology and history: suggest originates from Latin suggerere, meaning “to bring to mind,” likely formed from sub- “under” plus gerere “to bear.” It entered English via Old French and Middle English, developing a range of senses related to guiding thought or consideration.

Usage and grammar: Suggest is commonly followed by a that-clause, a gerund, or an infinitive. For example: “The report suggests that the policy is effective,” “She suggested visiting the museum,” or “The guide suggests going early to avoid crowds.” In formal writing, the clause after suggest may use the subjunctive: “The committee suggested that he go first.” In American English, it is increasingly common to use “that he should go.” When making a general claim with data, one may encounter subject-verb agreement variations: “The data suggests” (common in American usage) versus “The data suggest” (traditional British usage treating data as plural).

Nuance and related terms: Suggest is milder than propose or recommend; it often conveys indirect guidance rather than a firm directive. It can imply a hypothesis, a possible interpretation, or a recommended but non-compulsory course of action. Related verbs include imply, hint, indicate, and propose, each with distinct emphasis on indirectness, suggestion of necessity, or formal recommendation.

See also: grammar of reporting verbs, subjunctive mood, data usage in statistics.