Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

During the public hearing, the tribunal chairman insisted that the key witness _______ the assembly before the final ruling was delivered. Which of the following verb forms correctly completes the sentence?

  1. addressAnswer
  2. B
    addressed
  3. C
    addresses
  4. D
    has addressed

Answer

address
The correct form is the bare base verb 'address'. When a sentence contains a verb of demand, command, or insistence like 'insisted that', the embedded clause requires the mandative subjunctive, which uses the base form of the verb irrespective of the subject or the tense of the principal clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the reporting verb and clause structure in the stem.
The main clause uses the verb of command/demand 'insisted that'.
Verbs expressing recommendation, demand, requirement, or insistence trigger the mandative subjunctive mood in subordinate 'that' clauses.
2
Determine the required verb form for the mandative subjunctive mood.
The bare infinitive / base form of the verb ('address') must be used.
The mandative subjunctive does not inflect for tense, aspect, or person (e.g., no '-s' ending for singular subjects and no past tense markers).

Key Concept

Mandative Subjunctive Mood with Verbs of Demand/Insistence
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

More questions from this topic