be it ...

Share on Facebook

manomi

#505050 Fri, 25 Apr 08 12:59 AM

I don't understand well the phrase beginning with "be it" in the following sentence (in particular, the grammatical use of this "be it"). Is it showing examples of contextualisation of academic activity referred to in the previous phrase? Thanks a lot.

"This means that they increasingly require people who are able to contextualise academic activity against fluctuations in the external environment, be it in relation to, for instance, schools outreach, regional business development or overseas campuses."

manomi

Joined on Thu, Apr 24 2008

New Member (03)

Philip

#505083 Fri, 25 Apr 08 02:30 AM

= although it may be

Frankly, I'm amazed that that phrase is the only thing you don't understand: I have trouble understanding most of the sentence myself!

Philip

Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005

USA Pacific Northwest (Seattle)

Veteran Member (5,435)

If one will scoff at the study of language, how, save in terms of language, will one scoff? - Mario Pei

Avangi

#505084 Fri, 25 Apr 08 02:32 AM

Hi manomi. Welcome to the forums..Thanks for joining us!

That's the subjunctive mood. You could say, "whether we're talking about, for instance, schools outreach, etc."

It might be helpful to use the search function to look over some examples (upper right corner of the screen.) If you really hope to "understand well" the subjunctive, you're in for a long session.

Best wishes, - A.

Avangi

Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007

Senior Member (2,242)

". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

Subjunctives

Clive

#505087 Fri, 25 Apr 08 02:34 AM

Hi,

"This means that they increasingly require people who are able to contextualise academic activity against fluctuations in the external environment, be it in relation to, for instance, schools outreach, regional business development or overseas campuses."

'Be it' means 'whether it be'. eg 'Be he alive or be he dead, I will always love him'.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (19,295)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

manomi

#505098 Fri, 25 Apr 08 02:53 AM

Dear Philip, Avangi, and Clive,

Thank you for all quick replies.

It's now totally clear to me.

Best regards,

Manomi

manomi

Regards

Avangi

#505111 Fri, 25 Apr 08 03:14 AM

Speaking of "totally clear" I have to agree with Philip. I know this wasn't part of your question, but I had to imagine a comma after "people who are able," else the verb "require" has no object. It took me several readings to sort it out, and I'm still guessing at what it means.

Avangi