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

Redeem

Quick question, hopefully quick answer

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:00 pm

Quick question, hopefully quick answer

by ricosh13 » Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:04 am
The commission proposed (that funding for development of the park, which could be open to the public early next year, be) obtained through a local bond issue.

That is the correct answer...the OG says "that" is needed at the beginning, after proposed, and I don't understand why.

I thought:

The commission proposed (funding for the development of the park, perhaps open to the public early next year, be) obtained through a local bond issue.

Seems more consise, just don't understand why the "that" is needed. Minor question, probably minor answer. thanks.
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
MBA Student
Posts: 403
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:32 pm
Thanked: 98 times
Followed by:22 members

by fibbonnaci » Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:24 am
one quick answer would be:
Proposed is subjunctive. so u need a 'that' .
Subjunctive words need to be followed by a 'that'

Hope this clears your confusion
Top
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:42 pm
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Thanked: 14 times
Followed by:4 members

by stephen@knewton » Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:31 am
Hi Ricosh,

Slightly less quick answer (did my best to keep it short):

What's being used in the correct answer choice, as noted above, is a form of the subjunctive mood. We use this form of the subjunctive mood with directive verbs like "propose." The subjunctive in this case requires:

Directive verb + "that" + ROOT form of the subordinate verb.
(The root form is simply the infinitive minus the "to" ... in this case, "be")

So in the question at hand, this rule gives us the following correct use of the subjunctive:
"The commission proposed that funding ... be obtained ...."

Now, to your proposed (and admittedly more concise) alternative, here's the catch: although in common speech, we often drop or ignore the "that," it's not actually correct to do so.

Hope that helps!

Steve P.
Stephen
GMAT Instructor
Knewton Inc.
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:00 pm

by ricosh13 » Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:02 am
ahhh, thanks you two! totally helps....seems so simple, right in front of my face now in my manhattan sc book. damn!

request that
propose that
desired that
ect ect...

totally makes sense!
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1