4

I know that each is a singular subject, but in certain cases it seems that is not the case. For example, in this sentence below, why would the correct verb be "keep" instead of "keeps?"

The tour guide recommends that each child keep close to his or her parents in order to avoid leaving someone behind.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
7
  • The tour guide recommends that each child keep close to his or her parents in order to avoid leaving someone behind.

Your example is in the form of a subjunctive mandative construction, which is seen in the use of "keep".

The example could, instead, use "keeps" or use "should keep", in which case the constructions would be covert-mandative and should-mandative, respectively.

For instance: the subjunctive mandative,

  • The tour guide recommends [that each child keep close to his or her parents in order to avoid leaving someone behind].

the should-mandative,

  • The tour guide recommends [that each child should keep close to his or her parents in order to avoid leaving someone behind].

the covert-mandative,

  • The tour guide recommends [that each child keeps close to his or her parents in order to avoid leaving someone behind].

Many times, for some speakers, there are differences in preference as to type of construction.

Mandatives involve deontic modality, so those three types of mandative basically mean the same thing. But there can often be examples which could be ambiguous as to whether it is a mandative or a non-mandative, and thus, ambiguity in the meaning. For instance, the following example (borrowed from CGEL, page 996),

  • [8.iii] She insists [that he takes / they take the eight o'clock train].

The version using "he takes" could be a covert-mandative, and the version using "they take" could be a covert or a subjunctive mandative; but both versions could also be non-mandatives. In the mandative interpretations: she insists on his (them) taking this train. In the non-mandative interpretations: she asserts that it is a fact that he (they) is scheduled to take this train.

(Reference: The 2002 reference grammar by Huddleston and Pullum et al., The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, "7.1.1. The mandative construction", pages 995-1000.)

Improve this answer
4
  • Could you elaborate on the difference in meaning between the constructions when used after the same verb?
    – Cerberus - Reinstate Monica
    Jan 9, 2014 at 22:00
  • @Cerberus: What I actually wrote down was erroneous, and I have edited it. Thanks for pointing it out. :)
    – F.E.
    Jan 10, 2014 at 1:33
  • 1
    Ah, I thought perhaps I had missed some nuance of grammar. I think our answers complement each other very well. +1
    – Cerberus - Reinstate Monica
    Jan 10, 2014 at 3:04
  • 1
    It seems so easy when you explain it!
    – anongoodnurse
    Apr 4, 2014 at 22:18
6

The issue in your example is not with each, but with the verb recommend. This keep is in the present subjunctive, which can be used after a main verb that expresses a command or recommendation (though not after all such main verbs):

She suggested that he stay away from the palace.

They recommend that the mayor should step down.

You can use either should or the present subjunctive. Some people also (sometimes) use the simple indicative (keeps, stays, steps), but this is considered ugly or illiterate by others.

Improve this answer
12
  • With some main verbs "that express a command or recommendation". Not with most. *She said/remarked/appealed/piped up/snapped that he stay away from the palace. That's the problem with semantic definitions for syntactic phenomena; the clear cases work nicely but not in general.
    – John Lawler
    Jan 9, 2014 at 21:32
  • @JohnLawler: I meant "can" in the broadest sense. But, fair enough, I have added extra hedging.
    – Cerberus - Reinstate Monica
    Jan 9, 2014 at 21:55
  • This is where lists come in handy, like the lists of communication verbs from Levin 1993
    – John Lawler
    Jan 9, 2014 at 22:50
  • A verb that licenses the subjunctive is one that cannot accept a clause complement that expresses a fact. *He demanded he was hungry. *She urged the dancers were wearing suspenders. It is not what these verbs do but what they cannot do that defines them.
    – TimR on a different device
    Jun 28 at 14:07
  • @Tim: Good point. It can be difficult, though, to decide when it is a fact? E.g. she recommended that the dancers wear suspenders.
    – Cerberus - Reinstate Monica
    Jun 28 at 21:18

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.