stand/stands

Question

insist that he stand or insist that he stands?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

The first is more rigorously correct.  The second is also in use but may be considered incorrect by some listeners.

Regards · Answer

Hi,

I'd go with the first one: insist that he stand. In your case, stand should be used in the subjunctive.

Likewise: I insist that she see a doctor. She insists that David be present at the meeting.

Note that the verb in the that-clause is the bare form of the infinitive.

If you don't use the subjunctive mood where it is required, you simply speak incorrect English.

Further information about the subjunctive mood can easily be found on this forum.

Regards

Cool Breeze · Answer

Mandative subjunctive. So far we have examined three different ways of issuing directives – modals, semi-auxiliaries, and the imperative.The subjunctive can also be used as a directive. The term mandative derives from the Latin root for mandate, “a command or order”. The mandative subjunctive is a very distinct kind of directive and it always takes the same form.

I suggest [that he leave].
I beg [that he return the money].
I demanded [that she give me her files].
We asked [that Marsha tell the truth].
Beth moved [that the meeting be adjourned].
I insist [that you be quiet].
I require [that term papers be turned in on time].

In each of these sentences, the main verb makes some sort of demand, from very mild (ask/suggest) to very strong (demand/insist). In each case, the direct object of the main verb is a clause (the structure in brackets). Note that when the subject of the clause is third person, its verb does not take third person {-s} and be is in its infinitive form. These atypical verb forms are the vestiges of the Old English subjunctive system. The same meaning can be communicated by a verb in present tense – We insist that Marsha tells the truth or by a modal auxiliary – We insist that Marsha must tell the truth. Technically, however, these are not subjunctive utterances because they lack subjunctive verb forms. All of these sentences are directives, however.

Berk LM (1999). English syntax: from word to discourse (New York: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-512353-0).

CB

Regards · Answer

Hi,

Mister MicawberThe second is also in use but may be considered incorrect by some listeners.

Cool BreezeWe insist that Marsha tells the truth or by a modal auxiliary – We insist that Marsha must tell the truth. Technically, however, these are not subjunctive utterances because they lack subjunctive verb forms.

1. I guess I'm one of those listeners that MM described in his post.

2. I assume those words in red just ought to prove me wrong, but I believe that if you had left them in black,

your meaning wouldn't have changed. This is just food for thought...

Regards

Fivejedjon · Answer

Mister MicawberThe first is more rigorously correct. The second is also in use but may be considered incorrect by some listeners.

This is the case with American English. In British English, a few of us still use the present subjunctive, but we are a small minority. Most people do not even know of its existence, and very few would consider the use of the indicative to be incorrect.

Cool Breeze · Answer

RegardsI assume those words in red just ought to prove me wrong

I'm not trying to prove anyobody right or wrong. Grammatical correctness is a relative thing. People think differently about countless aspects of grammar. I just quoted the opinion of one liberal grammarian.

CalifJim · Answer

Cool BreezeThe same meaning can be communicated by a verb in present tense

From the viewpoint of American English I can't say I agree with Mr. Berk in the general case. Yes, the same meaning can be communicated, but from that information we shouldn't draw the conclusion that the same meaning is always communicated. I see a very big difference between these, for example:

This Congressional report suggests that Senator Bunkum cheat on his income tax.
This Congressional report suggests that Senator Bunkum cheats on his income tax.

CJ

Regards · Answer

Hi,

CalifJimI see a very big difference between these.

And so do I. Good examples.

Regards

stand/stands

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions