I insist he be punished. and I insist he should be punished. What’s the SUBTLE difference between them? Answer You are insisting on two different things. In the first, you are insisting on an actual result: that someone is punished. In the second, you are insisting on your opinion that someone should be punished. AttributionSource … Read more
It is essential that [some parameter] be not reset during the day. (1) It is essential that [some parameter] not be reset during the day. (2) Which one is the correct form? I do know the easy way out, that is: It is essential that [some parameter] is not reset during the day. (3) But … Read more
We will make the convention that exact categories be skeletally small. Is this construction (used in a mathematical context) correct? There is something that strikes me as odd in that “be”. Should it be “are”? I know I’ve seen a similar way of using “be” like that, without conjugating the verb, but I’m not completely … Read more
Are there the different meanings between the following two sentences? The association recommends (that) people eat smaller portions at lunch. The association recommends people to eat smaller portions at lunch. Which sentence is more likely to be used? Answer The first sentence is correct. The second is not. If you wanted to use “to eat” … Read more
1.Etiquette requires that the bride’s father makes a speech. 2.The situation requires that he go there. UPDATED: These are two different sentences. My questions are about those, not only one of them. No one has explained anything as to the latter. I am wondering the reason for–in the first sentence — there has been used … Read more
Some cities have a rule requiring that a certain percentage of the budget be used to fund public art. I am wondering the reason for being omitted the preposition to before used to. Answer Some cities have a rule requiring that a certain percentage of the budget be used to fund public art. The clause … Read more
I have a question regarding the correct usage of ‘insist’ in a sentence. So, I don’t know which one I should write: My mother insisted that I should stay at home for a couple of days due to my illness. or, My mother insisted that I am staying at home for a couple of days … Read more
I wonder if the indicative present is good in the clause: it is the requirement that, when John arrives, Mark be here The answers are detailed but I wish to discuss the case “when becoming if” in order that I understand better: When we wish say “if John arrives at the same time” I believe … Read more
It’s time something was done about the problem. It is a sentence from Murphy’s “Grammar”. Using was confused me, for me it should be were. It looks like this clause is in subjunctive mood—something that is unreal / imaginary, and in that case you always use were for any object. Unless, of course, it is … Read more
It was recommended that the international development partners develop guidelines or a roadmap to help countries take the necessary steps to select the right tool for their purposes. Why is it using present tense “develop” in the sentence which is actually a past tense “It was recommended”? Answer This is not a present-tense form but … Read more
