Sentence Correction

44. Though the term＂graphic　design＂may　suggest　laying　out corporate brochures and annual reports，they have come to signify widely ranging work,　from package designs and company logotypes to signs，book jackets，computer graphics．and film titles．
(A) suggest laying out corporate brochures and annual reports，they have come to signify widely ranging
(B) suggest laying out corporate brochures and annual reports，it has come to signify a wide range of
(C) suggest corporate brochure and annual report layout，it has signified widely ranging
(D) have suggested corporate brochure and annual report layout，it has signified a wide range of
(E) have suggested laying out corporate brochures and annual reports，they have come to signify widely ranging

In the above question, I don't understand why it should not be "suggests" ? Isn't the subject over here is "term", I guess which should be singular rather than plural?

TIA

Basically we are looking at subjunctive mood here. When we talk about possibilities or situations contradicting reality, we have to use subjunctive mood: use plural verb.

I wish I was filthy rich: INCORRECT
I wish I were filthy rich: CORRECT

your question was good

i didn't check the word suggest
as simplyjat told, it is because of subjunctives

also, Is B the answer?

I have just started learning about sentence correction and last night finished the lesson of SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT from manhattan SC 2005 edition.

This was the question from same chapter's problem set. Don't know how they have given the question of "Subjunctive mood" in the Subject-Verb Agreement.

Thanks simplyjat and barron for your answers.

OA (B)

The subject-verb is actually:

term and may suggest

Without the "may," it would be "the term suggests," but I think the phrase is actually:

"may +infinitive"

I may run, He may run, They may run

Following this, if you switch to "might"
present - "I might run..."
past - "I might have run..." or the perfect
'I might be running..." and "I might have been running..."

So, should I assume that when I see MAY + infinitive I have to consider it as a subjunctive mood ?

Abdulla wrote:So, should I assume that when I see MAY + infinitive I have to consider it as a subjunctive mood ?

No my dear friend

words like recommend, require, suggest etc indicate subjunctive and once you have subjunctive, use plural verb irrespective of subject

exhaustive list may be found in Manhattan SC guide chpt 3, pg. 49

basically, subjunctive means a not a reality, imaginative, may be possible or not

but this is not always applicable..

how we identify the subjunctive mood because sometimes even though we have those words that you mentioned above, we're still use the singular verbs . for instance in problem # 35 V.G we used suggests ..

to rephrase my question.. What is the marker word that indicates the subjunctive mood?

Is it in Chapter 3 in the 3rd edition guide book ?

Abdulla wrote:but this is not always applicable..

how we identify the subjunctive mood because sometimes even though we have those words that you mentioned above, we're still use the singular verbs . for instance in problem # 35 V.G we used suggests ..

to rephrase my question.. What is the marker word that indicates the subjunctive mood?

Is it in Chapter 3 in the 3rd edition guide book ?

second edition-here you will find your marker word

I would check qtn 35 and let you know.

Abdulla wrote:but this is not always applicable..

how we identify the subjunctive mood because sometimes even though we have those words that you mentioned above, we're still use the singular verbs . for instance in problem # 35 V.G we used suggests ..

to rephrase my question.. What is the marker word that indicates the subjunctive mood?

Is it in Chapter 3 in the 3rd edition guide book ?

In 35, as you see the rise is already there ..."The rise in the commerce dept's index of..."

This means the rise is already there....in this case, is it imaginative....??


In this e.g. we discuss the possible interpretations of term graphic design and no one is sure

so, you can put an additonal verification check of analyzing the situation

whether its reality or imaginative

Does this look ok 2 you?

Pls share your doubts if any on this

got you buddy,,, Thanks

source of question )

https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/11/garde ... gewanted=1

I've got a problem of the tense in this question. What's wrong with option (D)?
Can anybody help me? :roll: