Subjunctive or indicative mode of verb

Question

I have no doubt that students would benefit from hearing your views, as students will / would get to know the labour market.

Should I choose will or would? Why? Which grammar topic covers it?

Thank you in advance

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

anonymousShould I choose will or would?

will

anonymousWhy?

Because you have no doubt of it. "Would" expresses a hypothetical idea and doubt in your mind.

anonymous Which grammar topic covers it?

The definitions of modal verbs and how to pick the right one.

CalifJim · Answer

anonymous Subjunctive or indicative mode of verb

'will' is not a marker of the subjunctive!
'would' is not a marker of the subjunctive!

'will' and 'would' are modal verbs.

There are only three ways the subjunctive occurs in English.

1) the use of be in all persons of the present tense (instead of 'am', 'is', or 'are')

It is important that [I / you / he / she / we / they] be on time. (subjunctive)

2) the lack of 's' on third-person singular forms of verbs (present tense) other than be:

I insist that he take his medicine. (subjunctive)
the demand that she pay the bill (subjunctive)
It's urgent that he see a doctor immediately. (subjunctive)

3) the substitution of 'were' for 'was' in the if-clause of a conditional statement (a substitution which has become optional over the years)

If the cat was smaller, it would fit into this carrier.
If the cat were smaller, it would fit into this carrier. (subjunctive)

The forms of the subjunctive that you see in 1) and 2) are also called "the mandative construction".

CJ

Subjunctive or indicative mode of verb

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions