whether it be or whether it is?

Forums: English
Email this Topic • Print this Page

what is the correct word to use in this context.

eg whether it BE Dali's rose or monet's lillies, flowers are used throughout the general area of art.

or should it be...

whether it IS Dali's rose or monet's lillies, flowers are used throughout the general area of art.

ignore the poor grammer and unimaginative sentence.

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Discussion • Score: 1 • Views: 19,769 • Replies: 7

No top replies

This is a tough one. I don't feel 100% confident in this answer, but I think both could be used. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the subjunctive mood is "used chiefly to express the speaker's attitude about the likelihood or factuality of a given situation," in this case, the use of Dali's rose or Monet's lillies.

Also in American Heritage:

Quote:

Other functions include use in some conditional clauses and clauses that make concessions or express purpose. In these cases the subjunctive carries a formal tone:
Whether he be opposed to the plan or not, we must seek his opinion...
The subjunctive is not required in such sentences, however, and you can use indicative forms if you prefer (whether he is opposed ).

.

I don't think this sentence suggests the use of Dali's rose or Monet's lillies as a condition; rather, a possibility. In this sense, the subjunctive mood might be appropriate in suggesting some doubt about whether either artist's flowers would be used. Perhaps others with a greater mind for nuance can weigh in on this one.