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MountainHiker Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Am versus Be
Hi,
Which version is correct and why?
1) So it is important that I am viewed as a neutral person.
2) So it is important that I be viewed as a neutral person.
Is it simply that 1 is present and 2 is future?
MountainHiker
Which version is correct and why?
1) So it is important that I am viewed as a neutral person.
2) So it is important that I be viewed as a neutral person.
Is it simply that 1 is present and 2 is future?
MountainHiker
Top answer
Not "present" versus "future", per se. It 's more like, a fact versus a "wish".
- Not "present" versus "future", per se.
- It 's more like, a fact versus a "wish".
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13 Answers
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Not "present" versus "future", per se. It 's more like, a fact versus a "wish".
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Which version is correct and why?
1) So it is important that I am viewed as a neutral person.
2) So it is important that I be viewed as a neutral person.
Is it simply that 1 is present and 2 is future?
JT: Both are correct and the meanings are the same. Number 2 is an example of the subjunctive form. Neither directly points to a future, though that
1) So it is important that I am viewed as a neutral person.
2) So it is important that I be viewed as a neutral person.
Is it simply that 1 is present and 2 is future?
JT: Both are correct and the meanings are the same. Number 2 is an example of the subjunctive form. Neither directly points to a future, though that
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The first is somewhat unnatural sounding to me. At least where I live, it would be unlikely to hear it said. Maybe this, however: "So it is important for everyone to know that I am viewed as a neutral person". As it is, it seems to say: "I am viewed as a neutral person; that is important." It's rather weird for an actuality to be important. "The book is lying on the table; that's important
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I find it very interesting that this form of the subjunctive is unnatural for your locale, Jim. If I may ask, are you located in big city CA or rural CA? Somewhere, it escapes me now where, I read that BrE doesn't use this style of subjunctive but it is quite prevalent in the USA.
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CalifJim,
Yes, I should have included more context.
In this instance the writer is writing to a friend and they are discussing "sensitive" political topics. Because the writer's vocation involves dealing with international parties, the writer does not want to be on record having taken a position. In this instance, the writer may comment generically about sensitive topics bu
Yes, I should have included more context.
In this instance the writer is writing to a friend and they are discussing "sensitive" political topics. Because the writer's vocation involves dealing with international parties, the writer does not want to be on record having taken a position. In this instance, the writer may comment generically about sensitive topics bu
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Big city. Don't know anything about the differences in subjunctive use between BrE and AmE. Can't help on that one!
Most common:
It's important for you to be on time.
It's important that you be on time.
Almost non-existent here:
It's important that you are on time.
Most common:
It's important for you to be on time.
It's important that you be on time.
Almost non-existent here:
It's important that you are on time.
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Hello again, MountainHiker!
Yes, your commentary provides more color. The general differences I described, however, remain the same. In the context you present I'd be inclined to use "be". However, I am not British, and perhaps the "am" is a more British way of saying it.
CJ
Yes, your commentary provides more color. The general differences I described, however, remain the same. In the context you present I'd be inclined to use "be". However, I am not British, and perhaps the "am" is a more British way of saying it.
CJ
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Hi CalifJim,
I am your northern neighbor living in Canada, so our dialects ought to be very close, if not the same.
It's interesting because I wrote the sentence with "am" and MS Word came back during the grammar check and suggested "be". I sat there and wondered: so which is correct?
I read your explanation over again, and, to me, it seems subtle.
Thank y
I am your northern neighbor living in Canada, so our dialects ought to be very close, if not the same.
It's interesting because I wrote the sentence with "am" and MS Word came back during the grammar check and suggested "be". I sat there and wondered: so which is correct?
I read your explanation over again, and, to me, it seems subtle.
Thank y
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Hello MH and CJ
I think BrE does tend to avoid the subjunctive 'be'. (Is this because indicative 'be' was common in rustic dialects, before we all turned to EstuaryE, I wonder? 'You be a-trespassin' on 'is Lordship's land, young master' etc.)
I would listen twice if I heard #2. Sometimes it's replaced with 'should be'; sometimes other formations are used:
'It's impo
I think BrE does tend to avoid the subjunctive 'be'. (Is this because indicative 'be' was common in rustic dialects, before we all turned to EstuaryE, I wonder? 'You be a-trespassin' on 'is Lordship's land, young master' etc.)
I would listen twice if I heard #2. Sometimes it's replaced with 'should be'; sometimes other formations are used:
'It's impo
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