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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

The word 'Convert' , wierd usage

I saw the following sentence at Jeruslem Post newspaper:
"Local man who demanded that he convert to Islam".

Now , what I don't understand is how the convert comes with a s after 'He'?
Shouldn't They have to write:
"Local man who demanded that he converts to Islam".

I'll be glad for an explanation.
Thanks!
  

Top answer

Hi, It's not "weird usage". It's the subjunctive form. See also these threads: and this section from Wikipedia: The subjunctive in English: Usage - To express a command, request, or suggestion

  • Hi, It's not "weird usage".
  • It's the subjunctive form.
  • See also these threads: and this section from Wikipedia: The subjunctive in English: Usage - To express a command, request, or suggestion
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3 Answers
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Hi,

It's not "weird usage". It's the subjunctive form.

See also these threads:






and this section from Wikipedia:

The subjunctive in

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You really helped me. Thanks!
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"Local man who demanded that he convert to Islam".

I just wanted to point out that it's not a complete sentence. It's also not clear whether "he" refers to the local man or to someone else.

"Local man demanded that he convert to Islam" would be a complete sentence, (in caption or headline style, leaving out "a" or "the" before "local man") but with "who" in there it leaves you

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