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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Subjunctive Verb Tense
Which of the following sentences is correct - or is there a better way of expressing this?
(I don't necessarily agree with the content, it's just an example.)
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, wherein one sane ruler
decided on one basic set of moral rules, put them in place, and doled out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, where one sane ruler
decides on one basic set of moral rules, puts them in place and doles out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, wherein one sane ruler
would decide on one basic set of moral rules, put them in place and dole out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
(I don't necessarily agree with the content, it's just an example.)
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, wherein one sane ruler
decided on one basic set of moral rules, put them in place, and doled out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, where one sane ruler
decides on one basic set of moral rules, puts them in place and doles out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
The ideal form of government would be a benign monarchy, wherein one sane ruler
would decide on one basic set of moral rules, put them in place and dole out appropriate
punishments to fit the transgression.
Top answer
I struggle to see much difference in these, I'd be happy with all of them - certainly none of tehm screams out "error" to me .... which maybe says something about how the "rules" for subjunctive are in a state of change at the moment in Englsih usage?
- I struggle to see much difference in these, I'd be happy with all of them - certainly none of tehm screams out "error" to me ....
- which maybe says something about how the "rules" for subjunctive are in a state of change at the moment in Englsih usage?
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3 Answers
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I struggle to see much difference in these, I'd be happy with all of them - certainly none of tehm screams out "error" to me ....
which maybe says something about how the "rules" for subjunctive are in a state of change at the moment in Englsih usage?
which maybe says something about how the "rules" for subjunctive are in a state of change at the moment in Englsih usage?
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I loved your examples but let me ask you: Where do you think that sane ruler may be found?
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#2 is the best of the 3. But...
I think that all of them are a little too wordy. Why use "would be" at all? On what condition would the ideal form of goverment become benign monarchy? Are there other forms of ideal government?
"The ideal form of government IS benign monarchy, where one sane ruler (i.e. me) decides...puts them into...and doles..."
"Would be" is fine,
I think that all of them are a little too wordy. Why use "would be" at all? On what condition would the ideal form of goverment become benign monarchy? Are there other forms of ideal government?
"The ideal form of government IS benign monarchy, where one sane ruler (i.e. me) decides...puts them into...and doles..."
"Would be" is fine,
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