"Essentail that"

Forums: English, Esl, Grammar, English Grammar, English As A Second Language
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A teacher I work with asked me a question about a sentence she found in a textbook that I can't quite answer.

The sentence is:
"It is essentail that he study hard for the entrance exams."

She asked me why the verb "study" isn't written as "studies" and what the difference between the two answers would be.

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Type: Question • Score: 6 • Views: 1,228 • Replies: 7

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@mcook,

Because the verb is in the subjunctive case.

I can't at the moment discern what the "difference" that she is driving at might be.

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@mcook,

If "studies" is used, it refers to a present ongoing action. "Why have you locked him in his room?" "It's essential that he studies..."

If "study" is used, it refers to a future planned action. "Do I really need to buy those books?" "Yes. It's essential that he study..."

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Wdfarmer is wrong, and McT is correct. "Study" is in the subjunctive mood, i.e., it a wish, a suggestion--which is currently not in operation.

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@Setanta,

Interesting! Are the example sentences I used incorrect?

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The first one is--it should also employ "study," because it is in the subjunctive mood. Your explanations are incorrect.

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@mcook,

She should have pointed out that you misspelled essential.

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@mcook,

First of all, its "essential" and you have written "essentail" that's a mistake which you have done in the sentence.

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"Essentail that"

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