Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1The committee insists that the final report ............... submitted by noon, regardless of delays.
Wrong!
After "insists that" in formal English, use the base form "be" for the mandative subjunctive.
2It is essential that every applicant ............... a valid passport at the interview.
Wrong!
After "It is essential that" in formal English, use the base form "have" rather than the third-person form.
3The judge ordered that the witness ............... removed from the courtroom immediately.
Wrong!
After "ordered that" in formal English, the passive subjunctive uses "be" before the past participle.
4The policy requires that all expenses ............... itemised on the claim form.
Wrong!
After "requires that" in formal English, the passive subjunctive uses "be" before the past participle.
5The chair recommended that the proposal ............... revised before publication.
Wrong!
After "recommended that" in formal English, the passive subjunctive uses "be" before the past participle.
6The director requested that Mr Patel ............... present at the signing, not represented by a deputy.
Wrong!
After "requested that" in formal English, use the base form "be" for the subjunctive.
7I would rather she ............... the issue in writing, given how sensitive it is.
Wrong!
After "would rather" for a preference about another person, use the past form "addressed".
8If I ............... in your position, I would decline the offer on principle.
Wrong!
In a formal unreal conditional with "I", the subjunctive form "were" is preferred.
9The minister spoke as though the decision ............... already irreversible, despite ongoing talks.
Wrong!
After "as though" for an unreal formal comparison, use the subjunctive form "were".
10Be that as it may, we cannot approve the budget unless the figures ............... independently verified.
Wrong!
The plural noun "figures" needs the passive verb form "are" in this condition.
11The guidance suggests that each participant ............... their phone switched off during the briefing.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "suggests that", both the subjunctive "keep" and the formal alternative "should keep" are correct.
12The union demanded that the company ............... a written apology within 24 hours.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "demanded that", both the subjunctive "issue" and the formal alternative "should issue" are correct.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The committee insists that the final report be submitted by noon, regardless of delays.
- It is essential that every applicant have a valid passport at the interview.
- The judge ordered that the witness be removed from the courtroom immediately.
- The policy requires that all expenses be itemised on the claim form.
- The chair recommended that the proposal be revised before publication.
- The director requested that Mr Patel be present at the signing, not represented by a deputy.
- I would rather she addressed the issue in writing, given how sensitive it is.
- If I were in your position, I would decline the offer on principle.
- The minister spoke as though the decision were already irreversible, despite ongoing talks.
- Be that as it may, we cannot approve the budget unless the figures are independently verified.
- The guidance suggests that each participant keep / should keep their phone switched off during the briefing.
- The union demanded that the company issue / should issue a written apology within 24 hours.