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Resplenda Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Why “it be” is used in this setence instead of "it is"?

Hello,

If someone could answer this question, I would really appreciate it.

My question is, in the following sentence, "One of the classic ways the limbic brain has assured our survivals as a species is by regulating our behaviour when confronting danger, whether it be a prehistoric man facing a Stone Age beast or a modern-day employee facing a stone-hearted boss." why "it be" is used here, instead of it is? And what's the difference between using it be and it is?

Thank you.
  

Top answer

It's a somewhat archaic form, probably stemming from the subjunctive which used to be used far more than it is now. Just consider it a fixed expression: he likes all vegetables, whether it be peas, carrots, or corn.

— Philip

  • It's a somewhat archaic form, probably stemming from the subjunctive which used to be used far more than it is now.
  • Just consider it a fixed expression: he likes all vegetables, whether it be peas, carrots, or corn.
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4 Answers
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It's a somewhat archaic form, probably stemming from the subjunctive which used to be used far more than it is now.

Just consider it a fixed expression: he likes all vegetables, whether it be peas, carrots, or corn.
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This is the present subjunctive for of the verb to be.

You can all you need and more here:

http://www.wordpower.ws/grammar/gramch09.html
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Emotion: big smile Thanks heaps! Philip
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That website helps a lot. Thank you very much!
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