IS vs BE?

Question

HiI saw this question in a book "The doctrine of seperation of powers prescribes that the functions of the three arms of government BE clearly and institutinally sepearted."Why did not they say "...IS clearly and institutionally separated."?Sometimes I see people use "be" instead of "is" and I can never understand why..can somebody pls help.Thx

Tanit · Accepted Answer

Hi,

that's because some verbs and expressions require the subjunctive.

Below is an excerpt from Swann's book (§567).*

1. What is the subjunctive?
Some language have special forms called 'subjunctives', which are used especially to talk about 'unreal' situations: things that are possible, desirable or imaginary. Older English had subjunctives, but in modern English they have mostly been replaced by uses of should, would and other modal verbs, by special uses of past tenses, and by ordinary verb forms. English only has a few subjunctive forms left: third-person singular present verbs without -(e)s, (e.g. she see, he have), and special forms of be (e.g. I be, he were). Except for I/he/she/it were after if, they are not very common.
2. That she see
Ordinary verbs only have one subjunctive form: a third person singular verb with no -(e)s, (e.g. she see). It is sometimes used in that-clauses in a formal style, especially in American English, after words which express the udea that something is important or desirable (e.g. suggest, recommend, ask, insist, vital, essential, important). The same forms are used in both present and past sentences.
It is essential that every children have the same edicational opportunities.
It was important that James contact Arthur as soon as possible.
Our advice is that the company invest in new equipment.
The judge recommended that Simmons remain in prison for life.
Do is not used in negative subjunctives. Note the word order.
We felt it desirable that he not leave shool before eighteen.
With verbs that are not third-person singular, the forms are the same as ordinary present-tense verbs (but they may refer to the past.)
I recommended that you move to another office.
3. Be
Be has special subjunctive forms: I be, you be etc.
It is important that Helen be present when we sign the papers.
The Director asked that he be allowed to advertise for more staff.

I were and he/she/it were, usedfor instance after if and wish in a formal style, are also subjunctives.
If I were you I should stop smoking.

I wish it were Saturday.
(...)

See also this thread.

_________________________________________________

* Swann M. (2005) Practical English Usage, 3rd edn. Oxford: OUP.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymousprescribes that the functions of the three arms of government BE clearly and institutinally sepearted."

Why did not they say "...IS clearly and institutionally separated."?

prescribes that is like commands that in meaning. After an expression of commanding, be substitutes for am, is or are in a that clause. be then means something like should be or must be.

The captain's order that the soldiers be ready at 2 o'clock was disobeyed.
The hostess insisted that everyone be seated before she began to serve the meal.

The new document will stipulate that the prisoner be present at the hearing.

Note the similarity to commands (imperatives):

Be ready at 2 o'clock!!!
Be seated!!!
Be present at the hearing!!!

Note that a command contains an attempt to influence the actions of another person or persons. By extension, all expressions that contain the idea of influence tend to follow the same pattern, for example, expressions involving requirements. As above, be means something like should be or must be.

They took very seriously the requirement that they be silent during the procedure.

See the preceding post for other situations where this pattern is used.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreicate it..

IS vs BE?

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