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Nsfs2 Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Agree and subjunctive

Hi,

1.Is the verb 'agree' one of those verbs that require the using of the subjunctive?Is the following sentence correct?And are their other possible tense forms for expressing the verb' build'?
'Everyone agreed that they build halls with much more special lighting.'

Thanks.
  

Top answer

Both indicative and subjunctive are possible. Let me change "they" to "he" so it becomes more apparent: Everyone agreed that he builds the largest halls. (Factual, about the halls he already builds) Everyone agreed that he build the largest halls.

— Shawn79

  • Both indicative and subjunctive are possible.
  • Let me change "they" to "he" so it becomes more apparent: Everyone agreed that he builds the largest halls.
  • (Factual, about the halls he already builds) Everyone agreed that he build the largest halls.
  • (Hoped for, desired, not yet achieved)
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18 Answers
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Both indicative and subjunctive are possible. Let me change "they" to "he" so it becomes more apparent:

Everyone agreed that he builds the largest halls. (Factual, about the halls he already builds)
Everyone agreed that he build the largest halls. (Hoped for, desired, not yet achieved)
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Shawn79Both indicative and subjunctive are possible. Let me change "they" to "he" so it becomes more apparent:Everyone agreed that he builds the largest halls. (Factual, about the halls he already builds)Everyone agreed that he build the largest halls. (Hoped for, desired, not yet achieved)
Thanks for your reply.

'Everyone agreed that he built
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You're welcome! Emotion: smile
nsfs2Can V2 'built' be used instead of the subjunctive 'build' to mean '(hoped for,desired,
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nsfs2Is the verb 'agree' one of those verbs that require the using of the subjunctive?I
No, I don't think so. You may refer to this link for what more information on subjunctive verbs.englishplus.com/grammar/00000031.htm
Excerpt:

These are verbs typically followed by clauses that take the subjunctive: ask, demand,
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Hi,
Thanks for your reply.

So, the sentence is awkward because 'agree' can't take the subjunctive.

What about 'Everyone agreed that they should build halls with ...."?Is this sentence correct?Is it a kind of subjunctive with should?
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nsfs2So, the sentence is awkward because 'agree' can't take the subjunctive.
"Agree" can take the subjunctive as in my examples to you above and below, but it is awkward as dimsumexpress states because that's now how we usually speak. Yes, using "should" as in "everyone agreed that they should build halls with..." is a more natural alternative in common use. M
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Thanks,Shawn79.

How can one tell if 'should+v' is a subjunctive or an ordinary modal?
Is there anything wrong with my '...much more halls..'?Is it correct?
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I wouldn't say anything is wrong with this sentence:
nsfs2Everyone agreed that they build halls with much more special lighting.
The problem with the subjunctive is that it's often indistinguishable from the indicative in English. Think of these as alternatives to the subjunctive, of which English offers many, including the modal "should" w
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Shawn79I wouldn't say anything is wrong with this sentence: nsfs2Everyone agreed that they build halls with much more special lighting.The problem with the subjunctive is that it's often indistinguishable from the indicative in English. Think of these as alternatives to the subjunctive, of which English offers many, including the modal "should" when referring to an obliga
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they are to make a good impression
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