Business 2 Chapter 4 - Distinguishing subjunctives
Not all the questions require subjunctives. It is up to you to decide which do - and sometimes which subjunctive.
The subjunctive in formal or official English
The present subjunctive is the same as the infinitive, for every person. It is noticeable particularly in the third person: Not only "should I go" but also "should he go" and the verb "to be" where the subjunctive is: "I be" "you be" "he be" etc.
When "should" replaces "if" a subjunctive is used.
IF the committee OBJECTS I'll resign. SHOULD the committee OBJECT I shall resign.
This carrries over into the present perfect as in this example:
IF the play HAS started when we arrive, we will wait until the end of the first act before going to our seats. SHOULD the play HAVE started when we arrive, we will wait until the end of the first act before going to our seats.
Here are the most common verbs and adjectives which take the subjunctive: insist, demand, important, advisable, suggest, propose, necessary, preferable, request, recommend.
Present subjunctive:
Employees must be on time for work. - It's necessary that they BE on time. Mary LEAVES early. - Her boss insists that she LEAVE early. Mary IS happy. - It's important that Mary BE happy. Joe doesn't know. - It is preferable that Joe NOT KNOW.
Note does the form does not change with the tense of the verb:
I suggest that Thomas BE hired. I suggested that Thomas BE hired. I would have suggested that Thomas BE hired.
And here's the negative:
Jim recommended that we NOT TRAVEL there due to political unrest. The postal service suggests that you NOT SEND cash in the mail. It's important that Sally NOT GET the wrong idea.
This subjunctive is used more frequently in American English. In British English, SHOULD is often added. It doesn't change the meaning: "He insists that she BE there by noon." "He insists that she SHOULD BE there by noon."
Past Subjunctive
It usually looks like the simple past tense, except with the verb TO BE. Then it is always WERE in all persons. The past subjunctive is used after these expressions when the statement is in doubt or untrue:
wish - as if - as though - if (conditional sentences)
Notice the difference:
You act as if you didn't care. (I'm not so sure that you do.) You act as if you don't care. (But I know you do, deep inside.)
Should new and substantially lower quotas on blue fin tuna __________ the very future of the species will be compromised.
not to be imposed
not imposed
not be imposed
not to impose
If new and substantially lower quotas on blue fin tuna are __________ the industry itself must regulate its behaviour.
not to be imposed
not imposed
not be imposed
not to impose
If the new quotas on blue fin tuna are __________ rigourously by inspection, the fisheries will virtually ignore them .
not to be imposed
not imposed
not be imposed
not to impose
If the Fisheries Regulation Authorities are __________ stricter regulations on blue fin tuna catches, some form of self-regulation must be proposed by the companies doing the fishing.
not to be imposed
not imposed
not be imposed
not to impose
Should the level of sound __________ 100 decibels, damage to the inner ear may occur.
exceed
exceeds
be exceeded
is exceeded
If the level of sound __________ 100 decibels, damage to the inner ear may occur.
exceed
exceeds
be exceeded
is exceeded
If a sound level of 100 decibels __________, damage to the inner ear may occur.
exceed
exceeds
be exceeded
is exceeded
Should a sound level of 100 decibels __________, damage to the inner ear may occur.
exceed
exceeds
be exceeded
is exceeded
Should there __________ any misuse of party funds in the recent election, the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the strictest measures will be invoked.
be
is
has been
have been
If there __________ any misuse of party funds in the recent election, the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the strictest measures will be invoked.
be
is
has been
have been
If there __________ any misuse of party funds in the next election, the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the strictest measures will be invoked.
be
is
has been
have been
Should there __________ any misuse of party funds in the next election, the Prime Minister stated yesterday, the strictest measures will be invoked.
be
is
has been
have been
Had the banks and their representatives __________ in dubious sales techniques which one associates more with door-to-door salesmen, the sub-prime crisis might never have happened.
not engage
not engaged
not have engaged
had not engaged
If the banks and their representatives __________ in dubious sales techniques which one associates more with door-to-door salesmen, the sub-prime crisis might never have happened.
not engage
not engaged
not have engaged
had not engaged
If the banks and their representatives do __________ in dubious sales techniques which one associates more with door-to-door salesmen, crises of the sub-prime kind may be avoided in future. The question is; have they learned their lesson?
not engage
not engaged
not have engaged
had not engaged
Should the banks and their representatives __________ in dubious sales techniques which one associates more with door-to-door salesmen, crises of the sub-prime kind may be avoided in future. The question is; have they learned their lesson?
not engage
not engaged
not have engaged
had not engaged
If the special conditions pertaining to retirement benefits of civil service employees in France__________ harmonised with those enjoyed by the great majority of employees, the system would be fairer. (Two correct answers)
were to be
are to be
be
were
Should the special conditions pertaining to retirement benefits of civil service employees in France__________ harmonised with those enjoyed by the great majority of employees, the system will be fairer in future.
were to be
are to be
be
were
If the special conditions pertaining to retirement benefits of civil service employees in France__________ harmonised with those enjoyed by the great majority of employees, a certain amount of opposition is to be expected, to say the least!
were to be
are to be
be
were
The Chief Constable requests that the suspect __________ for a further 7 days, pending enquiries.
is held
be held
was held
were held
If the suspect __________ for a further 7 days, the Chief Constable feels the chances of obtaining a confession will be enhanced.
is held
be held
was held
were held
If the suspect __________ for three weeks without charge, this almost certainly constituted an infringement of his rights under European law.
is held
be held
was held
were held
If a suspect __________ for three weeks without charge, this would almost certainly constitute an infringement of his rights under European law.
Business 2 Chapter 4 - Distinguishing subjunctives