Was it too much to ask that...

[99bottles]

Was it too much to ask that he be allowed some privacy?

I found that sentence on the Longman website, and it exemplifies the word ask.

Shouldn't it be that he is allowed instead? Have I got something wrong regarding basic grammar rules?

 

[SoothingDave]

It's the subjunctive mood, found in places like this that express a desire. Also used for un-real situations, like "If I were king."

You can use "is" in that sentence, but "be" is the correct word for the subjunctive mood of expression.

 

[Tdol]

In BrE, we rarely use the present subjunctive outside a few fossil phrases like God save the Queen.

 

[emsr2d2]

In BrE, we rarely use the present subjunctive outside a few fossil phrases like God save the Queen.

Well, there's something I never considered. I always thought of that line as an imperative, albeit one missing the comma.

 

[99bottles]

In BrE, we rarely use the present subjunctive outside a few fossil phrases like God save the Queen.

So is it up to me to decide whether to use it?

 

[5jj]

Yes.

 

[99bottles]

Yes.

Bonus question: Do we use the subjunctive mood with so that? E.g.

Turn the TV so that it face/faces the window.

 

[Tarheel]

Bonus question: Do we use the subjunctive mood with so that? E.g.

Turn the TV so that it face/faces the window.

Use "faces" there.