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Thread: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

  1. #1
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    Default The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    Hi,


    I have just come across the following sentence in my text book.
    For now, we need only know that these techniques require that extra bits (beyond
    the bits of original data to be transferred) be sent from the sender to the
    receiver.
    Is there any difference in meaning if I put "only" before the verb "need"?
    (I think that we have use "to know" in the new sentence, right?)
    For now, we only need to know that these techniques require that extra bits (beyond
    the bits of original data to be transferred) be sent from the sender to the
    receiver.
    Why we use the verb "be" here, not "are"?
    Thank you.
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    Default Re: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    Quote Originally Posted by anhnha View Post
    For now, we need only know that these techniques require that extra bits (beyond the bits of original data to be transferred) be sent from the sender to the receiver.
    Is there any difference in meaning if I put "only" before the verb "need"?
    Ideally only should come before that. However, many people are not too concerned about the 'correct' placing of only these days.
    Why do we use the verb "be" here, not "are"?
    It's a subjunctive form. Most speakers of BrE would use should be here.
    anhnha and Odessa Dawn like this.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
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    Default Re: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    After "need" we usually use " infinitive with to" . I need to tell him the truth.
    But you need only do something/all you need do is ... British English
    We need only know that ... All we need know is that ...

    Require + to do sth
    Or
    require that
    Subjunctive
    The boss requires that she treat customers well.
    The boss requires that she be treating them well.
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    Default Re: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    Quote Originally Posted by M1na View Post
    The boss requires that she be treating them well.
    There are few contexts in which that would be natural.
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    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


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    Default Re: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    Thank for help!
    The boss requires that she be treating them well.
    There are few contexts in which that would be natural.
    Could tell me a context in which the sentence is appropriate?
    Are there any difference in meaning in these following sentences?
    (Can you tell me the meaning of each sentence?)
    1. The boss requires that she be treating them well.
    2. The boss requires that she should be treating them well.
    3. The boss requires that she is treating them well.
    4. The boss requires that she treat them well.

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    Default Re: The position of "only" and the use of "be" in this sentence.

    Quote Originally Posted by anhnha View Post
    Thank for help!
    The boss requires that she be treating them well.

    Could tell me a context in which the sentence is appropriate?
    Are there any difference in meaning in these following sentences?
    (Can you tell me the meaning of each sentence?)
    1. The boss requires that she be treating them well.
    2. The boss requires that she should be treating them well.
    3. The boss requires that she is treating them well.
    4. The boss requires that she treat them well.
    Only #4 is natural.
    Odessa Dawn, 5jj and emsr2d2 like this.

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