In American English^x, Grammar^x, Subjunctives^x

. We could collect $2 annual dues. I'll volunteer to be treasurer for the first year. >>

Hi, "have" is the "prescriptively correct" one, because it actually and grammatically refers to "languages". Now, the fact is that a lot of native speakers use the singular in those kinds of structures, because they make the verb agree with what comes before...

New2grammar wrote: worse comes to to worst.

Yoong Liat wrote: 1. She walks as though she is drunk. 2. She walks as though she was drunk. 3. She walks as though she were drunk. What is the difference between the three sentences? I believe #2 and #3 have the same meaning. This website may be helpful in...

Hi Happy, This area is a very contentious one, so it is not surprising that you find different pronouncements within and between grammar books. Here is my opinion on the examples you present: (1) 'Who did it ?' Not I.' The pronoun stands in parallel to the subject 'who', and is a...

Hi, Jim. You may no longer remember this thread, but I will still post a response. I haven't been around lately, that's why I haven't answered so far. 1. I have no comments about this point. And then, I tend to agree with grammar books! 2. There IS a difference between the imperative...

Hi, Miriam! Thanks so much for your reply. Of course I'm still interested! 1. Sometimes when examples are given, certain forms begin to sound more acceptable. Strangely enough, only your example with "wish" still seems weird to me! The other two don't really sound that formal to me. I can...

I had never really understood the subjunctive until I read this. Great post, Miriam. By the way, some people seem to refer to the subjunctive as being "rarely used" in English. Yet from reading the above, it is clearly used all the time. I also remember reading somewhere (I can't remember...