pretend to be / pretend (that) one is

[Marika33]

Are all of these correct and natural or some of them unnatural?

1. I suggested (that) he pretend (that) he was asleep.
2. I suggested (that) he pretend to be asleep.
3. I suggested (that) he pretend (that) he was sleeping.
4. I suggested (that) he pretend to be sleeping.

 

[Tarheel]

They all mean the same thing. (I prefer #2.)

The "that" is in my opinion not optional.

 

[Piscean]

I would use 'that', but I don't consider it obligatory.

 

[emsr2d2]

Are all of these correct and natural or are some of them unnatural?

See above. In this case, you can't use that first "Are" twice. That's because the first "Are" goes with "all of these" but the second clause uses "some of them". You wouldn't need to repeat "are" if you were giving us a list of options for adjectives, but all referring to "all of these". For example, "Are all of these correct and natural or incorrect/unnatural?"

 

[Marika33]

They all mean the same thing. (I prefer #2.)

The "that" is in my opinion not optional.

Thank you!

See above. In this case, you can't use that first "Are" twice. That's because the first "Are" goes with "all of these" but the second clause uses "some of them". You wouldn't need to repeat "are" if you were giving us a list of options for adjectives, but all referring to "all of these". For example, "Are all of these correct and natural or incorrect/unnatural?"

Interesting, I didn't know that. Thanks!