usage

Status
Not open for further replies.

shoaib 1

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Hi dear Teachers,
Please clarify the difference between
"It is essential that the government fulfill its promises"
and
"It is essential that the government fulfilled its promises" :?:
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Let me ask you this first:

Has the government done anything?
Is the expectation that they will do something for the future?
 

shoaib 1

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
yes,it is for the future. i have read such expressions in newspapers many times.
 

Barb_D

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Are you sure you read both of those?

It's essential the government fulfill its promises.
It's essential the government's promises be fulfilled.

Do you see the difference?
 

shoaib 1

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Are you sure you read both of those?

It's essential the government fulfill its promises.
It's essential the government's promises be fulfilled.

Do you see the difference?
No, no.I understand these two sentences that this is a subjunctive structure. I want to know what is the difference when we use first form and when we use the second form. i.e.
It is essential that the government fulfill its promises.
It is essential that the government fulfilled its promises
 

wace

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
Italian
Home Country
Italy
Current Location
Italy
No, no.I understand these two sentences that this is a subjunctive structure. I want to know what is the difference when we use first form and when we use the second form. i.e.
It is essential that the government fulfill its promises.
It is essential that the government fulfilled its promises

In the former, the speaker is expressing his/her wish that the government will fulfil its promises. In the latter s/he is hoping that the government delivered what it promised.
 

shoaib 1

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
In the former, the speaker is expressing his/her wish that the government will fulfil its promises. In the latter s/he is hoping that the government delivered what it promised.
Not clear.You mean when there is an element of hope, we use second form in the subjunctive structure.And what do you mean when you say ".....hoping that the government delivered what it promised" ?? You mean past or future?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top