question: subjunctive vs indicative vs conditional, using "ensure that"

Question

Hi, please consider the sentence beginning with, "Ideally one would like to ensure that ... "

Do verbs following this phrase call for the subjunctive or the indicative mood?

"Ideally one would like to ensure that he be on time"? (mandative subjunctive)
"Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time"? (indicative)

Or is this like a type-II conditional (hypothetical case) that should be written:

"Ideally one would like to ensure that he would be on time"

Thanks for your thoughts!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I think that either "be" or "is" is acceptable. "would be" sounds strange.

Aperisic · Answer

CubeyHi, please consider the sentence beginning with, "Ideally one would like to ensure that ... "

Do verbs following this phrase call for the subjunctive or the indicative mood?

"Ideally one would like to ensure that he be on time"? (mandative subjunctive)
"Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time"? (indicative)

Or is this like a type-II conditional (hypothetical case) that should be written:

"Ideally one would like to ensure that he would be on time"

Thanks for your thoughts!

Avoid be in this context. You have "ensure" and it is not a place for subjunctive in any language I know, including English.

Ideally one would like to suggest that he be on time. could be acceptable, though, but then ideally is nonsensical.

Ideally one would like to ensure he/him being on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure he/him to be on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure that he was on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure that he had been on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure that he is going to be on time.

would be

Ideally one would like to ensure that he has a desire or will to be on time

Ideally one would like to ensure that he could be on time but he couldn't

would be

Cool Breeze · Answer

AlienvoordI think that either "be" or "is" is acceptable. "would be" sounds strange.

I agree with you. Moreover, I would not use he:
"Ideally one would like to ensure that one is on time?"

Cheers
CB

CalifJim · Answer

I would not use he: "Ideally one would like to ensure that one is on time?"

I don't think there's any requirement for the two subjects to be coreferential. he should be all right. I've been reading it as non-coreferential all the while. I wonder if the original poster had that reading in mind.

CJ

Marius Hancu · Answer

The subjunctive be is OK in this context. However, I've got only one hit at the New York Times:

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB091EF63D5F0C758DDDAF0894DD404482

... filed motions to ensure that he be entitled to represent Mr. Hamdan ...

which seems to take place in a legal, thus very formal, context.

----------------

The indicative alternative is more popular:

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10D11FD3A5B0C778CDDA10894DE404482

... to trying to ensure that he is not replaced by his brother ...

August 4, 2006 - By JUAN FORERO; An employee of The New York Times who could not be named for security reasons contributed reporting from Havana for this article. (NYT) - World - News - 1503 words

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906EEDF133FF933A05750C0A9639C8B63

... feeding tube to ensure that he is properly nourished. The Apcom ...

March 30, 2005 - By Ian Fisher (NYT) - World - News - 117 words

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00D10FB3E5C0C738FDDA00894DC404482

... would you also ensure that he is no longer a party to ...

September 30, 2004 - By Victor Davis Hanson (NYT) - Opinion - Op-Ed - 241 words

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60915F93F590C778CDDAC0894DC404482

... agencies. To ensure that he is always available, he uses ...

May 4, 2004 - By ERIC A. TAUB (NYT) - Technology - News - 419 words

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0715FB345D0C778EDDA80894DC404482

... the law to ensure that he is severely punished.'' ...

January 24, 2004 - By MICHAEL BRICK (NYT) - New York and Region - News - 818 words

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30912FA3B5E0C738EDDA00894DB404482

... -- and to ensure that he is treated well. Today in ...http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30912FA3B5E0C738EDDA00894DB404482

September 20, 2003 - By IAN FISHER (NYT) - World - News - 949 words

Cool Breeze · Answer

CalifJim
I would not use he: "Ideally one would like to ensure that one is on time?"
I don't think there's any requirement for the two subjects to be coreferential. he should be all right. I've been reading it as non-coreferential all the while. I wonder if the original poster had that reading in mind.

CJ

Hi CJ

This is probably of little consequence in a world where volcanoes erupt and kingdoms fall, but I don't consider he wrong, either. I would just prefer not to use it.

I don't always have a lot of time when writing my posts and thus I tend to be brief and expect people to read between the lines. Of course I shouldn't do that. My fault.

Cheers
CB

CalifJim · Answer

in a world where volcanoes erupt

Oh, no! Is that the kind of world we live in?
I must tune in to the evening news more often!
I hope there's not one erupting near me!

prefer not to use it [he]

But wouldn't you have to use it if it referred to someone other than the impersonal one? I was thinking of a boss and his assistant trying to do something to encourage a certain male employee to be on time. The boss might say to his assistant, Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time. How can you prefer not to use he in that sentence?
(I think you are still considering this as a case where both subjects are the same person, even with one and he, and saying you prefer one and one in that case. Am I right?)

Sorry if I seem to be harping on trivialities.

CJ

Cool Breeze · Answer

CalifJim
in a world where volcanoes erupt
Oh, no! Is that the kind of world we live in?
I must tune in to the evening news more often!
I hope there's not one erupting near me!

prefer not to use it [he]

But wouldn't you have to use it if it referred to someone other than the impersonal one? I was thinking of a boss and his assistant trying to do something to encourage a certain male employee to be on time. The boss might say to his assistant, Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time. How can you prefer not to use he in that sentence?
(I think you are still considering this as a case where both subjects are the same person, even with one and he, and saying you prefer one and one in that case. Am I right?)

Sorry if I seem to be harping on trivialities.

CJ

Hi CJ

Yes, you are absolutely right. The situation you described didn't cross my mind. (At my age few things do, anyway.)

Cheers
CB

Aperisic · Answer

CubeyHi, please consider the sentence beginning with, "Ideally one would like to ensure that ... "
Do verbs following this phrase call for the subjunctive or the indicative mood?
"Ideally one would like to ensure that he be on time"? (mandative subjunctive)
"Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time"? (indicative)

Usages

ensure that he be on time 0 Google usages
ensure that he is on time 173.000 Google usages

one and he

he

everyone

the subjunctive

a call for subjunctive

I am going to jump over that crack, however wide that be. (I do not know how wide it is but I am confident that I can jump over it) certainty of the result, uncertainty of conditions
He suggested that the blocks break into powder. (He suggested that the blocks [possible] breaking into powder might help us) uncertainty of the result, certainty of conditions
The book was placed in the clean cellar protected from moisture lest it stop its serious deterioration. a wishful result
and so on

as

as if

be/is

to ensure

that he is on time

subjunctive

he is on time

to ensure that he be on time

ensure

be

Ideally one would like that he be on time.

be

Ideally one would like to ensure that he maybe starts coming on time
Ideally one would like to ensure that he surprise us with coming on time
Ideally one would like to ensure that he behave as we wish - to be (always) on time.
Ideally one would like to ensure that he is on time either we know it or not.

he is on time

impossible

he is on time

to ensure it

If I could ensure that he be on time

if

could

If I could ensure that he was/were on time

If I could suggest that he be on time

If I could be able to ensure that he be on time is not good
If I could be able to ensure that he is on time is better

Marius Hancu · Answer

CubeyOr is this like a type-II conditional (hypothetical case) that should be written:
"Ideally one would like to ensure that he would be on time"

The subjunctive be isn't usually replaced in contemporary texts by the "would be", but by should be (and mainly in BrE)
---------
Examples with ensure that he should be:
NOMINATION OF ROBERT M. GATES, OF VIRGINIA, TO BE DIRECTOR OF ...
The fact that Mr. Gates is superbly qualified does not automatically ensure that he should be supported for confirmation. It is the duty of the US Senate to ...
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Sally Bishop, by E. Temple Thurston ...
But now he was going out of his way--writing a letter, an action foreign to the whole of his nature--to ensure that he should be alone. ...
United Nations Human Rights Website - Treaty Bodies Database ...
Anyone aware that charges are being brought against him in a preliminary investigation shall be entitled to request and to ensure that he should be heard ...
---------
Examples with ensure that he be:
[ Arbitrary detention / Judicial proceedings - IRN 002 / 0705 ...
ii. release him immediately and ensure that ensure that he be granted a fair and impartial trial so that all charges against him be dropped; ...
Faculty Council
It was suggested that the Graduate Coordinator should be the person to sit on the Faculty of Graduate Studies since it was vital to ensure that he be kept ...
This is documented in Swan, Practical English Usage (under should)

question: subjunctive vs indicative vs conditional, using "ensure that"

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