Fractal wrote:in some books, i read that
e.g. ask requires the subjunctive mood!
somewhere else, i read that
e.g. ask can be used with the subjunctive mood or with "to verb"
could anybody clarify this matter?
thx a lot
Use of the Subjunctive
We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:
wants to happen
hopes will happen
imagines happening
Look at these examples:
The President requests that you be present at the meeting.
It is vital that you be present at the meeting.
If you were at the meeting, the President would be happy.
The subjunctive is typically used after two structures:
the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest + that
the expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital + that
Here are some examples with the subjunctive:
The manager insists that the car park
be locked at night.
The board of directors recommended that he
join the company.
It is essential that we
vote as soon as possible.
It was necessary that every student
submit his essay by the weekend.
