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Rpsh Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
it be competent
Whereas doubts have arisen whether on the trial of an indictment or information for the making or publishing any libel, where an issue or issues are joined between the King and the defendant or defendants, on the plea of not guilty pleaded,(it be competent) to the jury impaneled to try the same to give their verdict upon the whole matter in issue
Could you tell me what the grammar phenomenon is in the brackets?
Could you tell me what the grammar phenomenon is in the brackets?
Top answer
rpsh Could you tell me what the grammar phenomenon is in the brackets? It's from the 18th century and formal British legal jargon, but relatively straightforward grammatically. A rather common use of the subjunctive mood in that era.
- rpsh Could you tell me what the grammar phenomenon is in the brackets?
- It's from the 18th century and formal British legal jargon, but relatively straightforward grammatically.
- A rather common use of the subjunctive mood in that era.
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6 Answers
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rpshCould you tell me what the grammar phenomenon is in the brackets?It's from the 18th century and formal British legal jargon, but relatively straightforward grammatically. A rather common use of the subjunctive mood in that era.
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rpshgrammar phenomenonAfter "whether" older English used "be" instead of "is" or "are". ... doubts have arisen whether ... it be ...
In modern English it's Doubts have arisen whether it is ....
CJ
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I am reminded of the old verse:
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
Whether the weather be wet,
Or whether the weather be not,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
Whether the weather be cold,
Or whether the weather be hot,
Whether the weather be wet,
Or whether the weather be not,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.
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