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Tinanam0102 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
"It's best that she learn the lesson" or "It's best that she learns the lesson"
Hi teachers,
Which of them is correct usage? Does the action refer some time in the future or the present?
If the action is in the past, does the sentence become "It was best that she learned the lesson"
Thank you.
TN
Which of them is correct usage? Does the action refer some time in the future or the present?
If the action is in the past, does the sentence become "It was best that she learned the lesson"
Thank you.
TN
Top answer
It's best that she learn the lesson. This is a statement (present tense) giving advice about what she should do. Usually the situation is two people are talking about a third person.
- It's best that she learn the lesson.
- This is a statement (present tense) giving advice about what she should do.
- Usually the situation is two people are talking about a third person.
- For example the teacher may say this to a mother.
- The present subjunctive form of the verb "learn" is used.
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4 Answers
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It's best that she learn the lesson.
This is a statement (present tense) giving advice about what she should do. Usually the situation is two people are talking about a third person. For example the teacher may say this to a mother.
The present subjunctive form of the verb "learn" is used.
It's best that she learns the lesson.
You will hear this in informal convers
This is a statement (present tense) giving advice about what she should do. Usually the situation is two people are talking about a third person. For example the teacher may say this to a mother.
The present subjunctive form of the verb "learn" is used.
It's best that she learns the lesson.
You will hear this in informal convers
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Hi AlpheccaStars,
Thank you for answering my question. Another similiar one that I've heard a lot is "It was not my intention that it go as far as it did". Why "go"? I could only see it as a modal verb here. Is something I'm missing? Because "was" is the past tense, that mean it happened in the past.
Thank you
TN
Thank you for answering my question. Another similiar one that I've heard a lot is "It was not my intention that it go as far as it did". Why "go"? I could only see it as a modal verb here. Is something I'm missing? Because "was" is the past tense, that mean it happened in the past.
Thank you
TN
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This is an example ofusing the subjunctive in expressing a request, wish or desire.
The time frame in indicated by the tense of the main verb.
It was not my intention that it go as far as it did.
It is not my intention that it go very far.
Other examples:
He insists that we leave now.
He insisted that we leave early.
He will insist that we leave early.
The time frame in indicated by the tense of the main verb.
It was not my intention that it go as far as it did.
It is not my intention that it go very far.
Other examples:
He insists that we leave now.
He insisted that we leave early.
He will insist that we leave early.
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