Why 'be'?

Question

0 "Research on the human genome has implications that are not exclusively scientific or medical. They lead on to applications which affect all aspects of people's lives, whether it be private life; family life ; or life as members of society." 02br00My question is why we use 'be ' here instead of using 'is ' or 'are'. 02br00Thank you for any information related to above question in advance.  0-

Temico · Accepted Answer

0 Here, "be" = "may be". e.g. 02br
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00"Research on the human genome has implications that are not exclusively scientific or medical. They lead on to applications which affect all aspects of people's lives, whether it MAY be private life; family life ; or life as members of society." 02br
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00Another example:- 02br
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00"Be it me, you or him, we are all still insinuated by their snide remarks" = "Whether it may be me, you or him, we are all still insinuated by their snide remarks." 0-

MrPedantic · Answer

0 Hello Jacklong 02br
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00The 'be' in your sentence is a present subjunctive. The present subjunctive in all persons is the same as the base form of the verb. 02br
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00It's used especially in subordinate clauses after verbs that express a demand or recommendation, e.g. 02br
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001. I demand that he stop work immediately. 02br
002. I recommend that he see a doctor as soon as possible. 02br
003. It is important that he be placed in a rear-facing car seat that is properly secured. 02br
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00You don't hear it very often in BrE; I understand it's more common in AmE. 02br
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00MrP 0-

Why 'be'?

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