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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
subjunctive problem
Which one of these two phrases is correct?
1)"It is important that he tries to study often"
2)"It is important that he try to study often"
Is there a rule which says that subjunctive(in the first phrase) is strictly required in that sentence?
Thanks for answers
1)"It is important that he tries to study often"
2)"It is important that he try to study often"
Is there a rule which says that subjunctive(in the first phrase) is strictly required in that sentence?
Thanks for answers
Top answer
Only the second is correct in what I surmise is the intended reading. It is important that the patient take the medicine every six hours is like a command. It is important that the patient takes the medicine every six hours is an unusual construction, but it can be forced into the reading It is noteworthy that ...
- Only the second is correct in what I surmise is the intended reading.
- It is important that the patient take the medicine every six hours is like a command.
- It is important that the patient takes the medicine every six hours is an unusual construction, but it can be forced into the reading It is noteworthy that ...
- or It is a significant sign of progress that ...
- , What's important is that ...
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6 Answers
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Only the second is correct in what I surmise is the intended reading.
It is important that the patient take the medicine every six hours is like a command.
It is important that the patient takes the medicine every six hours is an unusual construction, but it can be forced into the reading It is noteworthy that ... or It is a significant sign
It is important that the patient take the medicine every six hours is like a command.
It is important that the patient takes the medicine every six hours is an unusual construction, but it can be forced into the reading It is noteworthy that ... or It is a significant sign
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CalifJimOnly the second is correct in what I surmise is the intended reading.
It is important that the patient take the medicine every six hours is like a command.
It is important that the patient takes the medicine every six hours is an unusual construction, but it can be forced into the reading It is noteworthy that ...
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Hello Mr. Curious, and welcome to the forums.
I read it the same way as CalifJim.
It is important that he takes (versus take) says "What's interesting and important to observe is how he does this." Not "That he does this is a requirement, is essential, is crucial."
I read it the same way as CalifJim.
It is important that he takes (versus take) says "What's interesting and important to observe is how he does this." Not "That he does this is a requirement, is essential, is crucial."
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Grammar GeekHello Mr. Curious, and welcome to the forums.Thank you Grammar Geek
I read it the same way as CalifJim.
It is important that he takes (versus take) says "What's interesting and important to observe is how he does this." Not "That he does this is a requirement, is essential, is crucial."
I agree w
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MrCuriousI have a few grammar books that justify the usage of "takes", though giving the privillage to the second one "the subjunctive take" as you have pointed out. Is it a daily English vs. Written (formal) English case?It may be that your books lean towards BrE, where the present subjunctive is much less common; "it's important that he takes..
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What is "intended reading"?The meaning you had in your head when you wrote (or said) the sentence.
In AmE, the one with take (i.e., the subjunctive) is not particularly formal; it's pretty much the everyday way of saying it. When someone requires someone else to be somewhere it's nearly always It's important that you be there. I think the alt
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