The Subjunctive Is NOT Imperative!
May 14th 2007 10:43
Ever had a encounter with someone who seems to believe should equals must?
I better start by stating I have encounters with several individuals on the Internet in mind and memory as I type this! All of them had similar reactions!
You've typed a statement including a conditional or subjunctive verb form like should could would and they react if you had typed MUST.
They seem to think any use of SHOULD is either sarcasm or an imperative - an order NOT a suggestion or advice?
Then you try to explain and they move to open hostility or mockery and then to insults and then things escalate to malice and lies.
One example being the individual who told his clique I was a fat ugly housewife academic, none of which I am by the way since I dont work for a university and I'm SOOO NOT a housewife.
Another example was the woman who decided cos I disagreed with her in a Delphi fourm that I was a cyberstalker cos I foolishly asked some of her acquaintance by private email why she was over reacting.
Niether of these and other people had ever meet me face to face or taken the time to email me in private for a longer conversation.
They preferred to retain an negative image of me.
Finally one ends up having to blast back at them and then put them on ignore?
What is wrong with people who think SHOULD is an Order?
The Subjunctive is not the same thing as the Imperative.
Are they malicious insecure jealous or what?
Please respond if you've had an encounter with some one who acts like they dont know the difference between the Subjunctive and the Imperative.
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