Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1The chair insisted that the minutes ............... verbatim, despite the objections from the PR team.
Wrong!
After "insisted that", formal English uses the subjunctive passive "be recorded".
2It is essential that every applicant ............... the declaration in ink, not pencil.
Wrong!
After "It is essential that", the subjunctive uses the base form "sign".
3The judge ordered that the witness ............... from discussing the case with the press.
Wrong!
After "ordered that", formal English uses the subjunctive passive "be prohibited".
4The policy requires that any refund ............... within five working days of approval.
Wrong!
After "requires that", formal English uses the subjunctive passive "be issued".
5The dean recommended that she ............... a leave of absence rather than fail the year.
Wrong!
After "recommended that", the subjunctive uses the base form "take".
6The contract stipulates that the tenant ............... written consent before subletting.
Wrong!
After "stipulates that", formal English uses the base form "obtain".
7If I ............... in your position, I would disclose the conflict of interest immediately.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
In this unreal conditional, both "was" and "were" are acceptable, but "were" is more formal.
8He spoke as though he ............... the final say, which irritated the whole committee.
Wrong!
For an unreal comparison after "as though", the formal subjunctive choice is "were".
9Be that as it may, we ............... proceed with the audit until the figures are verified.
Wrong!
The sentence refers to a present restriction, so "cannot" is the best choice.
10The CEO demanded that the report ............... on her desk by noon, not after lunch.
Wrong!
After "demanded that", formal English uses the subjunctive passive "be placed".
11The board suggested that the merger ............... until the regulators respond.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "suggested that", both "should be delayed" and "be delayed" are acceptable formal choices.
12It is vital that the data ............... encrypted at rest and in transit.
Wrong!
After "It is vital that", formal English uses the subjunctive form "be".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The chair insisted that the minutes be recorded verbatim, despite the objections from the PR team.
- It is essential that every applicant sign the declaration in ink, not pencil.
- The judge ordered that the witness be prohibited from discussing the case with the press.
- The policy requires that any refund be issued within five working days of approval.
- The dean recommended that she take a leave of absence rather than fail the year.
- The contract stipulates that the tenant obtain written consent before subletting.
- If I was / were in your position, I would disclose the conflict of interest immediately.
- He spoke as though he were the final say, which irritated the whole committee.
- Be that as it may, we cannot proceed with the audit until the figures are verified.
- The CEO demanded that the report be placed on her desk by noon, not after lunch.
- The board suggested that the merger should be delayed / be delayed until the regulators respond.
- It is vital that the data be encrypted at rest and in transit.
