This question tests your understanding of subjunctive mood in English grammar, specifically after certain verbs like "suggest."

The verb "suggested" is a key indicator. When we report a suggestion, advice, or recommendation, we often use the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to") in the subordinate clause. This structure is called the subjunctive mood.

The correct pattern is:

Subject + verb (like suggest, recommend, insist) + that + subject + base verb

Therefore, in the sentence "The bank manager suggested that I __________ apply again the following year," the blank must be filled with the base verb "apply." No auxiliary verb like "should," "will," or "would" is needed. The word "should" is sometimes used in British English as an alternative to the subjunctive, but the most formal and grammatically correct construction uses the base form alone.

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

Step 1: Identify the main verb. Here, it is "suggested."

Step 2: Recognize that "suggest" is one of the verbs that often triggers the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows "that."

Step 3: The subject of the subordinate clause is "I." The verb that follows this subject should be in its base form, which is "apply."

Step 4: Compare with the options. "Should," "will," and "would" are all modal auxiliary verbs. Adding any of them is incorrect for the formal subjunctive structure. The blank should be left empty, implying the base verb.

Final Answer: The sentence is complete as "The bank manager suggested that I apply again the following year." No additional word is needed. From the given options, none are suitable, but "should" is a less formal alternative sometimes used.

Related Topic: The Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express various states of unreality such as wish, emotion, possibility, judgment, opinion, necessity, or action that has not yet occurred. It is often found in clauses following verbs like:

• Suggest (e.g., She suggested that he be punctual.)
• Recommend (e.g., I recommend that she study more.)
• Insist (e.g., He insisted that I go with him.)
• Demand (e.g., They demand that the manager apologize.)

Related Formulae/Rules

Rule: After certain verbs (suggest, recommend, insist, demand, propose, etc.), use the base form of the verb in the "that-clause" to form the subjunctive mood.

Formula: Subject + Trigger Verb + "that" + New Subject + Base Verb + ...