Doubt

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Raf - 13 Jul 2005 20:32 GMT

Dear friends, I have a doubt concerning the last part of this sentence:

"It's the type of question usually made by people who have no feeling
for the language, whether or not they be native speakers of English."

Why not: whether or not they "are" native speakers of English.

I'd always write "they are" never "they be", even not being sure about
the difference...

Thanks,

Rafael
(Brasil)

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Einde O'Callaghan - 13 Jul 2005 21:24 GMT

> Dear friends, I have a doubt concerning the last part of this sentence:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I'd always write "they are" never "they be", even not being sure about
> the difference...

The latter is what we would call a subjunctive.

Using the indicative "are" here would also be correct, although I'd
rephrase it "... whether they are native speakers of English or not". I
don't perceive any significant difference in meaning although I would
regard the use of the subjunctive structure as more formal.

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

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credoquaabsurdum - 13 Jul 2005 22:22 GMT

> > Dear friends, I have a doubt concerning the last part of this sentence:
> >
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

Speaking of this:

Einde, in your view, is this structure used more in US or UK English?
There's a real problem about teaching the subjunctive here in Greece,
which is why I ask.

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Einde O'Callaghan - 13 Jul 2005 23:33 GMT

>>>Dear friends, I have a doubt concerning the last part of this sentence:
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> There's a real problem about teaching the subjunctive here in Greece,
> which is why I ask.

I think the subjunctive is in general more common in American English,
but I'm not at all certain about this particular subjunctive structure.
My general feeling is that here it's more a question of formality, but I
think it might be a good idea to get an opinion from a speaker of
American English. Where are you when we need you, Franke? ;-)

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

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Raf - 14 Jul 2005 13:46 GMT

Thank you all... does anyone know where I can find more about this
subject?

Thanks...

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Einde O'Callaghan - 14 Jul 2005 14:24 GMT

> Thank you all... does anyone know where I can find more about this
> subject?

Probably in any advanced grammar book.

Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / July 2005

Doubt