Grammar
Hi all,
I've translated from Dutch the following:"She herself remained without a spouse, without warm love in bed, God had brought widowhood to her doorstep and it was right and proper that she stick to that."
Should I use "stick" here, one of those rare subjunctive moods? A simple past may equally be ok, but is it?
Thanks,
Frank
Top answer
I think the meaning changes with "stuck". It becomes a fait accompli, and it sounds like she is now dead. With "stick", it is ongoing, or it says that was her decision if she is now dead.
- I think the meaning changes with "stuck".
- It becomes a fait accompli, and it sounds like she is now dead.
- With "stick", it is ongoing, or it says that was her decision if she is now dead.
- I am an American, and we think of the subjunctive differently from the Brits.
- By the way, there is a comma splice.
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I think the meaning changes with "stuck". It becomes a fait accompli, and it sounds like she is now dead. With "stick", it is ongoing, or it says that was her decision if she is now dead. I am an American, and we think of the subjunctive differently from the Brits.
By the way, there is a comma splice. I would start a new sentence with "***".
0Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I'm beginning to think that both subjunctive and indicative are possible. The one thing I am not sure of is whether the expression "right and proper" has a "mandatory" subjunctive coming with it, as e.g. the conjunctive "lest".
You're right about the comma! What's the difference between British and American use of the subjunctive mood?
grtz,
0
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