In Essays^x, Subjunctives^x

We welcome your opinions, Marcelinx, but it is dangerous to try to compare your native language so closely with English-- they do not work the same way. Nor is your logic very careful.Well, I certainly hope he helps you.There is nothing subjunctive about this. The form of the subjunctive verb--...

And you're a teacher? Of kindergarteners?I'm not an expert, but I have been educated formally on grammar all of my life. The "wish" usage is in the subjunctive tense, just like "If I were..." and although there are well known writers that use "was" that is simply incorrect. ...

Maple wrote: It is no accident that the twentieth century should be the century of highly centralized governments and totalitarian dictatorships; it had to be so for the simple reason that the twentieth century is the century of planetary overcrowding. (the essay was written in the 20th...

It is no accident that the twentieth century should be the century of highly centralized governments and totalitarian dictatorships; it had to be so for the simple reason that the twentieth century is the century of planetary overcrowding. (the essay was written in the 20th century) Why did...

The following problem came up in class today:None of us was/were able to communicate with the alien. Now, I was taught to find the head subject and then form the verb according to the number of this head subject, but here I am not sure whether none of modifies us (> were) or of us modifies...

To my understanding, will and shall are used in future tense of course. But would and should aren't only used in past tense. Sometimes "would" is a polite way to give an ask question: Would you like to have your dinner with me? "Would" be applied to Subjunctive If Cluases: If I were rich,...

Mister Micawber wrote:I would go for the subjunctive myself, since it seems to be a formal essay:1. It's important that there be public libraries.2. It's vital that there be a good public transport system.3. It's important that there be plenty of open spaces.4. It's essential that there be...

I would go for the subjunctive myself, since it seems to be a formal essay: 1. It's important that there be public libraries. 2. It's vital that there be a good public transport system. 3. It's important that there be plenty of open spaces. 4. It's essential that there be enough...

Thanks a lot for your replies, but I'm still confused. The essay topic is "What would you do if your child were caught shoplifting?" It asks a class of 17-year-old students to pretend that they are parents now. So I thought every move the 17-year-old hypothetical parent makes in his essay should...

Thanks a lot for your replies. The essay topic is "What would you do if your child were caught shoplifting?" It asks a class of 17-year-old students to pretend that they are parents now. So I thought every move the 17-year-old hypothetical parent makes in his essay should be written in...