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Norwolf Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Subjunctive
I took these words from Practical English Usage:
reactions: It’s surprising that she should…
Should is also used in subordinate clauses after words expressing personal judgements and reactions, especially to facts which are already known or have already been mentioned. (This use, too, is more common in British than American English. It is not particularly formal.)
It’s surprising that she should say that to you.
I was shocked that she shouldn’t have invited Phyllis.
I’m sorry you should think I did it on purpose.
Do you think it’s normal that the child should be so tired?
In American English, would is more usual in this kind of sentence.
It was natural that they would want him to go to a good school. (BrE…that they should…….)
And I got a dialogue here:
A—What do you think of the movie ?
1: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I missed the beginning .
2: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I should miss the beginning .
3: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I would miss the beginning .
Do the three all sound good? Are they grammatically correct?
Thank you in advance.
reactions: It’s surprising that she should…
Should is also used in subordinate clauses after words expressing personal judgements and reactions, especially to facts which are already known or have already been mentioned. (This use, too, is more common in British than American English. It is not particularly formal.)
It’s surprising that she should say that to you.
I was shocked that she shouldn’t have invited Phyllis.
I’m sorry you should think I did it on purpose.
Do you think it’s normal that the child should be so tired?
In American English, would is more usual in this kind of sentence.
It was natural that they would want him to go to a good school. (BrE…that they should…….)
And I got a dialogue here:
A—What do you think of the movie ?
1: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I missed the beginning .
2: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I should miss the beginning .
3: B—It’s fantastic . The only pity is that I would miss the beginning .
Do the three all sound good? Are they grammatically correct?
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
Only the first is acceptable to my ear. (AmE) I don't interpret "The only pity is that" as a case that requires the subjunctive. The version of this that can take the subjunctive is as follows.
- Only the first is acceptable to my ear.
- (AmE) I don't interpret "The only pity is that" as a case that requires the subjunctive.
- The version of this that can take the subjunctive is as follows.
- It is a pity that I should have missed the beginning.
- Nevertheless, the following is equally acceptable.
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2 Answers
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Only the first is acceptable to my ear. (AmE)
I don't interpret "The only pity is that" as a case that requires the subjunctive.
The version of this that can take the subjunctive is as follows.
It is a pity that I should have missed the beginning.
Nevertheless, the following is equally acceptable.
It is a pity that I missed the beginning
I don't interpret "The only pity is that" as a case that requires the subjunctive.
The version of this that can take the subjunctive is as follows.
It is a pity that I should have missed the beginning.
Nevertheless, the following is equally acceptable.
It is a pity that I missed the beginning
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American English:
#1 - OK, but I would say: My only regret is that I missed the beginning.
I use "pity" for other people: It's a pity you missed the beginning.
#2 - Not natural
#3 I regretted that I would miss the beginning. (we use "would" as something that is future to a past event). In this case, I had another appointment and knew I would be arriving late, after the
#1 - OK, but I would say: My only regret is that I missed the beginning.
I use "pity" for other people: It's a pity you missed the beginning.
#2 - Not natural
#3 I regretted that I would miss the beginning. (we use "would" as something that is future to a past event). In this case, I had another appointment and knew I would be arriving late, after the
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