BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

confused about this indicative- subjunctive structure.

Expert replies
by abcdefg » Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:51 pm
Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they will suffer a painful condition known as the "bends."

Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they

Because of the difference between the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they

Because of the difference in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or he

Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they

Because of the difference between the internal pressure of the human body and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or he

The OA is [spoiler] E. However I'm confused about C, which uses "ascends" instead of "ascend". I thought this would be the right answer because we're using ascends for the singular person he. However the OA says that this is wrong because it uses the indicative mood "ascends" where the subjunctive mood ("ascend") is required. [/spoiler].

Can someone please help me out and how it works? thanks.
Join the discussion
Source: — Sentence Correction |

abcdefg wrote:Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they will suffer a painful condition known as the "bends."

Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or they

Because of the difference between the human body's internal pressure and the ocean's, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they

Because of the difference in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascends slowly or he

Because of differences in the human body's internal pressure and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or they

Because of the difference between the internal pressure of the human body and that of the ocean, it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or he

The OA is [spoiler] E. However I'm confused about C, which uses "ascends" instead of "ascend". I thought this would be the right answer because we're using ascends for the singular person he. However the OA says that this is wrong because it uses the indicative mood "ascends" where the subjunctive mood ("ascend") is required. [/spoiler].

Can someone please help me out and how it works? thanks.
Since its an instruction, a subjunctive mood is required i.e (as its always 'to ascend' and not 'to ascends') hence E, i hope its clear.
Join the discussion

by aspirant_gmat » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:31 pm
Hi abcdefg!

Sentences with subjunctive mood have the following structure regardless of the subject:

that + the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'.

Subjunctive mood is used to represent somebody's recomondation, hope, desire, order etc. for someone else.

For example: I hope that he WIN the game.

In the same manner in this sentence 'essential that' should be followed by 'ascend'.

it is essential that a diver returning to the surface ascend slowly or he
Join the discussion

well as others have rightly pointed out the use of subjunctive ...u can also take C out for the unclear comparison between the pressure of the human body and the ocean

E is gives us a clear comparison and uses the subjunctive efficetively :)
Join the discussion

by rah_pandey » Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:09 am
difference between X and Y correct idiom

difference in....is wrong
Join the discussion

• Page 1 of 1