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Anonymous Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

English Present subjunctive vs Simple past

I have a query regarding the usage of English Present subjunctive vs Simple past.
Example: The stood up and headed for the doorway.
OR
They stood up and head for the doorway.
I do not understand which would be the gramatically correct sentence.
  

Top answer

First of all, the subjunctive mood does not figure in this question. Your sentence should read: They stood up and headed for the doorway. Both actions are in the simple past tense.

— Philip

  • First of all, the subjunctive mood does not figure in this question.
  • Your sentence should read: They stood up and headed for the doorway.
  • Both actions are in the simple past tense.
  • You could word it They stood up to head for the doorway, but it doesn't flow very well in this case.
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4 Answers
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First of all, the subjunctive mood does not figure in this question. Your sentence should read: They stood up and headed for the doorway. Both actions are in the simple past tense. You could word it They stood up to head for the doorway, but it doesn't flow very well in this case.
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I see that you have now registered and posted this question a second time. Good idea to register! I've deleted the second post and left this one, since it has been answered.
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Thanks Philip.
I made a typo. I did mean
They stood up and headed for the doorway.

I was surprised to find the line in a book I am reading, using the word headed instead of head many times.
I would have said They stood up and head for the doorway.
Thus my query, which is grammatically correct? Or phrased differently; Which is proper grammar?
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MJThI would have said They stood up and head for the doorway.Thus my query, which is grammatically correct? Or phrased differently; Which is proper grammar?
You have two past actions, occurring at very nearly the same time; you need two verbs in the past tense.
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