[Grammar] request that ...should/will

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pinkie9

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I have learned that when "request" (as a verb) is used with a that clause, the verb in the that clause is used with "shall" in British English (but this "shall" is omitted in American English) in the same manner as "recommend", "order", "suggest" etc.


[FONT=メイリオ][FONT=メイリオ]For example, in Standard Operating Procedures of a company,[/FONT]
[FONT=メイリオ]The managers then request that the headquarters should provide them with the latest information.[/FONT]
[/FONT]


[FONT=メイリオ]My question is, how about "will"? Is it wrong if "will" is used instead of "shall"?[/FONT]
 
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Barb_D

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Your question is solely about BrE?
 

pinkie9

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Information about AmE would also be appreciated. :)
 

Barb_D

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In the American English that I write, I would omit "should."

The managers then request that headquarters provide the latest information.
 

bhaisahab

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In the American English that I write, I would omit "should."

The managers then request that headquarters provide the latest information.
I agree, that's the way I would write too. I'm not too sure about the function of "then" in that sentence though.
 
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5jj

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I agree, that's the way I would write too. I'm not too sure about the function of "then" in that sentence though.
Then = in such cases, in these circumstances?
 

bhaisahab

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5jj

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Yes it could be, but without context it looks odd to me.
I agree.

I have tried to create possible contexts, and failed. In fact, the more I look at it the more unlikely the original sentence seems, with or without then - given that it comes from a company's SOPs.

Did you take this sentence unchanged from a company's Standard Operating Procedures, pinkie9?
 

pinkie9

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Thank you everyone.

No, I changed a part of the original sentence in the SOP because it is strictly confidential. There is a preceding sentence, so I think "then" is fine.

[FONT=メイリオ]My question is still, how about "will"?[/FONT]
 

bhaisahab

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Thank you everyone.

No, I changed a part of the original sentence in the SOP because it is strictly confidential. There is a preceding sentence, so I think "then" is fine.

[FONT=メイリオ]My question is still, how about "will"?[/FONT]
No, "will" doesn't work.
 

joham

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Hi, teachers. Looking at this thread, I remember the sentence (below in blue) I once read in LONGMAN CONTEMPERARY DICTIONARY, and I've been feeling confused since then. Could you please clarify it for me? Thank you in advance. Here's what the dictionary says:

1 to tell someone your ideas about what they should do, where they should go etc [↪ propose]:
pronsentence.gif
They keep suggesting ways to keep my weight down.
pronsentence.gif
She wrote to me and suggested a meeting.
suggest (that)
pronsentence.gif
I suggest you phone before you go round there.

pronsentence.gif
It has been suggested that the manager will resign if any more players are sold.
suggest doing something
pronsentence.gif
Joan suggested asking her father for his opinion.

suggest how/where/what etc
pronsentence.gif
The therapist suggested how Tony could cope with his problems.

can/may I suggest (=used to politely suggest a different idea)
pronsentence.gif
May I suggest that you think carefully before rushing into this?

pronsentence.gif
No possible explanation suggests itself (=is able to be thought of).


2 to make someone think that a particular thing is true [= indicate]:
pronsentence.gif
Trends in spending and investment suggest a gradual economic recovery.
suggest (that)
pronsentence.gif
Opinion polls suggest that only 10% of the population trusts the government.
...
 

5jj

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pronsentence.gif
It has been suggested that the manager will resign if any more players are sold.
...

Someone has suggesed that the manager will resign.

Here, suggest can mean 'put forward an idea'; it can also mean 'put an idea into someone's mind'.

The fact that he wore jeans to the interview suggests that he is not really interested in the job.
 

pinkie9

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It has been suggested that the manager will resign if any more players are sold.

I guess what Joham wants to know is why "will" is used here instead of "should". I wonder that too. Because "suggest" is one of those verbs of advice that should be followed by a that-clause with should + infinitive (in BrE).
 

5jj

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I guess what Joham wants to know is why "will" is used here instead of "should". I wonder that too. Because "suggest" is one of those verbs of advice that should be followed by a that-clause with should + infinitive (in BrE).
Not in the second meaning I suggested.

Looking back at my post, I see I wasn't at all clear. Sorry. Let's try again:

Someone has suggesed that the manager should resign.
Here, suggest means 'propose, put forward an idea'

Someone has suggesed that the manager will resign.
Here, it means 'put an idea into someone's mind', as in:

The fact that he wore jeans to the interview suggests that he is not really interested in the job.
 

joham

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Many thanks to fivejedjon and pinkie9.

I still don't understand why the dictionary puts the sentence in blue under the first meaning of 'suggest':
1 to tell someone your ideas about what they should do, where they should go etc [↪ propose]:
suggest (that)
pronsentence.gif
I suggest you phone before you go round there.
pronsentence.gif
It has been suggested that the manager will resign if any more players are sold.
 
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