Candice
Why not use "is" instead of "be" in the following sentence? We must ensure that development of the economy is based on science and technology and that development of science and technology be(why not use"is" here?) based on the needs of economy.
2016年4月29日 07:30
解答 · 4
1
The 'be' is a subjunctive, triggered by the phrase 'we must ensure that...' . We don't use the subjunctive as much as other languages, but this is a case where we do use it. Could you replace the 'be' with a simple 'is'? Yes, you could. You don't have to use a subjunctive here.
2016年4月29日
1
In this case, you can choose either "is" or "be", but you should be consistent. There is only one verb "ensure", which is used for both clauses. It would be more normal these days to use "is/are" with verbs like "ensure". The use of "be" is the subjunctive present form of "to be". It is formal. My writing style is quite formal and I would never use it. Modern American writers use the subjunctive more often than British writers but I am not sure if they would use it with "ensure".
2016年4月29日
還沒找到你要的答案嗎?
寫下你的問題,讓母語者來幫助你!