Thursday, March 9, 2017

infinitives - require that X be used VS. require X to be used



Some cities have a rule requiring that a certain percentage of the budget be used to fund public art.



I am wondering the reason for being omitted the preposition to before used to.



Answer




Some cities have a rule requiring that a certain percentage of the budget be used to fund public art.




The clause beginning with "requiring" employs the subjunctive mood, more precisely, the so-called mandative subjunctive:



I require that the budget be used to fund public art.
We asked that it be done yesterday.



Mandative subjunctive uses the "bare infinitive", the basic form of the verb without the particle to.


The mandative (or "present") subjunctive expresses a circumstance that is desired, demanded, recommended, necessary, etc.


If you spot a verb like insist, suggest, demand, prefer, an adjective like necessary, desirable, or a noun like recommendation, necessity, and after (or subordinate to) it, a that-clause, it's a good sign you have a mandative subjunctive.


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