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Norwolf Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Recommended that couldn't
Hi, teachers.
I once learnt the recommend that-clauses can follow past/present form verbs this way:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv201.shtml
quote:
Cambridge-English Advanced Grammar in Use1999:
In less formal contexts we can use ordinary tenses instead of the subjunctive. Compare:
They recommended that he should give up writing.
They recommended that he give up writing, (more formal)
They recommended that he gives up writing, (less formal)
Notice also:
They recommended that he gave up writing. (= he gave it up)
A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language1985
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens should be improved.
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens be improved.
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens ought to be improved.
He was very reluctant to leave, but I recommended that he went.
The employees have demanded that the manager resign.
The employees have demanded that the manager should resign.
The employees have demanded that the manager resigns.
The Grammar of the English Language2002
It is essential that everyone attend the meeting.
It is essential that everyone should attend the meeting.
It is essential that everyone attends the meeting.
Guide to English Grammar1994
NOTE
It often makes no difference whether a form is subjunctive or not.
We recommend that both schemes go ahead.
But someone is strongly against the following sentence:
The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal.
I am confused whether he/she or I am wrong. Can't we take it as the indicative?
If not, why? What is the difference between the last one and the others?
Could you please explain something to me?
Big regards.
I once learnt the recommend that-clauses can follow past/present form verbs this way:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv201.shtml
quote:
Cambridge-English Advanced Grammar in Use1999:
In less formal contexts we can use ordinary tenses instead of the subjunctive. Compare:
They recommended that he should give up writing.
They recommended that he give up writing, (more formal)
They recommended that he gives up writing, (less formal)
Notice also:
They recommended that he gave up writing. (= he gave it up)
A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language1985
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens should be improved.
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens be improved.
The report recommended that education for the over-sixteens ought to be improved.
He was very reluctant to leave, but I recommended that he went.
The employees have demanded that the manager resign.
The employees have demanded that the manager should resign.
The employees have demanded that the manager resigns.
The Grammar of the English Language2002
It is essential that everyone attend the meeting.
It is essential that everyone should attend the meeting.
It is essential that everyone attends the meeting.
Guide to English Grammar1994
NOTE
It often makes no difference whether a form is subjunctive or not.
We recommend that both schemes go ahead.
But someone is strongly against the following sentence:
The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal.
I am confused whether he/she or I am wrong. Can't we take it as the indicative?
If not, why? What is the difference between the last one and the others?
Could you please explain something to me?
Big regards.
Top answer
norwolf But someone is strongly against the following sentence: The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal. This doesn't sound right. You can't really recommend that someone can or could do something.
- norwolf But someone is strongly against the following sentence: The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal.
- This doesn't sound right.
- You can't really recommend that someone can or could do something.
- None of the other examples use "can" or "could", do they?
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6 Answers
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norwolfBut someone is strongly against the following sentence:This doesn't sound right. You can't really recommend that someone can or could do something. None of the other examples use "can" or "could", do they?
The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal.
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Mr WordynorwolfBut someone is strongly against the following sentence:The doctor recommended that you couldn’t swim after eating a large meal.This doesn't sound right. You can't really recommend that someone can or could do something. None of the other examples use "can" or "could", do they?
Oh, dear Wordy, thanks a l
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norwolfOh, dear Wordy, thanks a lot.It seems not. At the very least, it's a strain.
You mean we never treat can as be allowed to in such a sentence instead of be able to, right?
Though correct English, even "The doctor recommended that you shouldn't be allowed to swim after eating a large meal" would be a bit unusual. It implies that some
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norwolfNoting that millions of Americans are at least 20% overweight, it recommended that these people could cut down on dietary fats, which contain twice as many calories as equal amounts of carbohydrates and proteins.To me, this is more acceptable than the first example. "could" does not really mean "be allowed to" or "be able to", it means something more l
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Mr WordynorwolfNoting that millions of Americans are at least 20% overweight, it recommended that these people could cut down on dietary fats, which contain twice as many calories as equal amounts of carbohydrates and proteins.To me, this is more acceptable than the first example. "could" does not really mean "be allowed to" or "be ab
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