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Article: The language of command.(lack of subjunctive forms in English leads to tendency toward abruptness)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- April 25, 1998
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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I will issue the files at 11.30am. I will announce membership of the group. I do not want [the italics are Johnson's] to see interpretation of either in tomorrow's press.
How do you react?
Were the writer the prime minister you might raise your eyebrows but bite your tongue; for all his youth, he is your boss. In fact, though, the fax came from his still younger press secretary. Were you Johnson's age, you might growl about the puppy-fat insolence of one who has attained what Bacon called great place without having to climb to it. "Control freak," cried the Conservative Party.
The London press, once it had stopped laughing, went beyond that. An ...