"It is ... that" structure

[KEN JPN]

(original sentence)

It is quite natural that people, not only our fellow Asians, should wonder where 'Japanese culture' still really exists.

This sentence has a "it is ..... that" structure.
Here, what difference does it make if "should" is not used: It is natural that people wonder ....

In a similar sentence,
It is natural that he
1, should wonder 'Japanese culture' still exists.
2, wonder .........
3, wonders .......
what difference do you feel?


Thank you in advance.

 

[Tdol]

I'm a BrE speaker and don't use the present subjunctive, so I wouldn't use the second. However, the sentence is incomplete in all three- you've dropped where. If you do wish to question the very existence of 'Japanese culture' today, then use whether.

 

[KEN JPN]

Thank you for your reply.

It seems "where 'Japanese culture' still really exists" is correctly quoted.
I guess it can be paraphrased as:
"where they should go to find out the real Japanese culture (the really traditional one) in 21st century Japan"

Sentence 1 and 2: the difference is only whether it is British English or American?
How about Sentence 3? Is it okay to use "wonderS" here?

 

[TheParser]

It is quite natural that people, not only our fellow Asians, should wonder whether/if 'Japanese culture' still really exists.

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, Ken:

You have asked a question about "really," my favorite word. So may I join the discussion?

This is how I parse "really" in your sentence. This is ONLY my idea; others will have other views. That's why the word "really" is so fascinating. Really! (= believe me!)

It is natural that people wonder whether Japanese culture still really exists.

In my humble (very humble) opinion, it does NOT refer to "real" Japanese culture.

In my humble opinion, that sentence is something like this:

It is natural that people have this question: Does Japanese culture still really exist? That is,

Does Japanese culture, in fact/ in reality, still exist (anymore)?

It is natural that people have this question: Really, does Japanese culture still exist (or has it almost disappeared)?


James

 

[KEN JPN]

Thank you for your REALLY interesting comment (^^).

However, the main point of my question is, "What difference do you find if the predicate verb differs:
1, It is natural that he should do it.
2, It is natural that he do it.
3, It is natural that he does it.
Let me add:
4, It is natural that he would/will do it.
5, It is natural that he did it.
etc

Please replace "do/does/did it" with any meaningful verb.

 

[TheParser]

Is it okay to use "wonderS" here?

NOT A TEACHER

I went to the Google search engine and found a very helpful thread. I think that you will also find it helpful.

Please google these words:

It's very natural that every mother love/ loves her children.


Sincerely yours,


James

 

[KEN JPN]

Thank you very much to show me a very instructive article. That was what I really wanted to know!
I vaguely felt the difference of 1, that he should do / 2, that he do / 3, that he does, and now I think I have confirmed my understanding very concretely.