so, is the mood dead?

[Avalon]

In regards to one of my posts , the one about the present subjunctive,I had no reply so far, and I wonder whether such constructions are not used...
It would seem that it´s rather more common to hear an American saying "I suggested that she take a bath" than the British, who would prefer to say" I suggested that she should take a bath" Is this so?

[RonBee]

As I write this it is 10:45 PM, and I should be in bed. It would seem that you are looking for replies from both Americans and Brits. Try to be patient.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Avalon

In regards to one of my posts , the one about the present subjunctive,I had no reply so far, and I wonder whether such constructions are not used...
It would seem that it´s rather more common to hear an American saying "I suggested that she take a bath" than the British, who would prefer to say" I suggested that she should take a bath" Is this so?

I came across a thread in which the poster asked for a link to an oral presentation of the present subjunctive -- at least that's how I remember it. I didn't answer because I know of no such link.

I think Americans use the subjunctive more frequently than BrE speakers. But, sadly, there are many Americans who don't use or understand the subjunctive. I'm not an expert on BrE, but "should take" is a replacement for the subjunctive. I have seen British English as "I suggested that she takes a bath." I don't know how acceptable that is in BrE, but it grates on my ears.

[Ouisch]

Unless you want to get your face slapped, or at the least a pithy retort, I'd recommend that you never suggest to a woman that she is in need of a bath.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Unless you want to get your face slapped, or at the least a pithy retort, I'd recommend that you never suggest to a woman that she is in need of a bath.

What if she needs one?

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

What if she needs one?

You keep quiet about it and buy her some nice, expensive perfume as a gift.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

You keep quiet about it and buy her some nice, expensive perfume as a gift.

You girls really stick together.

[Tdol]

Originally Posted by Avalon

In regards to one of my posts , the one about the present subjunctive,I had no reply so far, and I wonder whether such constructions are not used...
It would seem that it´s rather more common to hear an American saying "I suggested that she take a bath" than the British, who would prefer to say" I suggested that she should take a bath" Is this so?

In BrE, it's pretty moribund, so should take/took/takes are all used. It crops up when people are trying to be rhetorical, but generally it's pretty rare to hear the present subjunctive apart from a few fossilised examples.

[RonBee]

P.S.

Say:

I have had no reply so far.

~R

[Avalon]

Thank you all...but to be honest, I think that it might be okay to teach it to a group of business people though, especially here in Brazil where this kind of sentences come in handy when reporting actions taken...I demanded that she hurry so that we can meet our deadline , It´s important that she remember that our jobs are at stake here! (Just as an example... )