Where is the "s"

Question

Hi, I saw this sentence in a letter from a solicitor "We also request that the First Respondent consent...." My question is why they did not say ".....First Respondent consents..."

First Respondent should be same as he, she or it and consents should be used. I have asked a few people including teacher, journalist and solicitor and they told me that the sentence did make sense, but they did not know why the "s" is missing.

Anyone can help?

Thanks

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Hi Anon. As Collins Cobuild says (http://www.collinslanguage.com/) "consent " is uncountable noun.

Anonymous · Answer

Sorry, may be i did not make the sentence clear, it was actually written "the First Respondent consent to our proposal....."  therefore, consent is actually a verb here, not a noun.

Yoong Liat · Answer

AnonymousWe also request that the First Respondent consent

We also request that the First Respondent (should) consent.
We also request that the First Respondent consent.
The word 'should' is the reason why the plural verb 'consent' is used.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Anonymous"We also request that the First Respondent consent...." My question is why they did not say ".....First Respondent consents..."

Consent is a present subjunctive verb form. Due to lack of grammatical forms, this is always identical with the infinitive in English. The present subjunctive is often used in that-clauses after such verbs as require, request, insist, demand etc. The same verb form is used in Long live the queen!

CB

Anonymous · Answer

Anymore answers?  I still do not understand...Anybody has a better explanation?

Yankee · Answer

Hi Anon

As Cool Breeze mentioned, the verb "consent" is used in the present subjunctive (not the simple present tense) in your sentence. The present subjunctive looks exactly the same as the base form of the verb (infinitive) in 1st, 2nd and 3rd person, singular and plural. There is no "s" on the end of "consent" in your sentence because it is not the simple present tense, but rather the subjunctive.

As Cool Breeze also told you, the subjunctive is often used in that-clauses after verbs such as require, request, insist, demand, recommend, suggest, urge, etc.

The present subjunctive is also commonly used in that-clauses following "It is critical / crucial / essential / imperative / important / necessary / vital (that)".

Have a look at this link for some additional information: subjunctive

Here are some additional examples of the present subjunctive. Notice that all of them are in a that-clause. This is the most common format:

- We recommended that he stay at the Best Western Hotel.
- The boss demanded that there be no deviation whatsoever from the standard procedure.
- He has suggested that she try a different approach.

- It is crucial that no mistakes be made.
- It is critical that he be here on time today.
- It is vital that he speak to you right away.

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks Yankee...your answers were so helpful and clear.

Tim New · Answer

Consent is the second verb, not the first. You have two verbs in the sentence, request and consent. So you have "We request consent" if you strip out all the extra words.

It is similar to using second verbs with the verb "to do" or "to be able"

She can write a letter not she can writes a letter

He can do his homework not he can does his homework.

Cool Breeze · Answer

Tim NewConsent is the second verb, not the first. You have two verbs in the sentence, request and consent

""We also request that the First Respondent consent...."

The subject for request is we. After the main clause comes (part of) a subordinate clause beginning with the conjunction that. The subordinate clause has its own subject (the First Respondent) and finite verb (consent). There are no defective auxiliaries or any other auxiliaries in the sentence. What matters in grammar is not how many verbs there are in a clause but what their function and role is. Anyway, there is only one verb in each clause.

Tim New · Answer

You are correct.

Where is the "s"

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