Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced

(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced

Fits absolutely perfect. No grammatical errors.

Hi can someone pls explain this sentence

Isn't it explained above? Do you have any specific questions?

So is the question only testing specific idioms ??
Is the meaning of the sentence correct in all the 5 options?

What happens when there is no 'that' after the bossy word.

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Alternatives to command subjunctive

1. Most state constitutions now mandate the state budget to be balanced each year.
2. Most state constitutions now mandate the state to balance its budget each year.

I tried answering this question on the basis of logic. Here is how I went about it.

At first I see a 3-2 split at the beginning of the sentence.

[mandate v/s have a mandate]

If we say, State constitutions now have a mandate, it somewhat implies that the constitution has been mandated by something or someone.
That seems to be quite illogical as constitution can mandate but cannot be mandated

So, option D and option E are quite simply eliminated using the above logical perspective.

Next if we take (C), we can eliminate it on the basis of tense used 'will'. If we have mandated something how can we use the future tense 'will'. Think about it!

Next if we take (B), here the part 'mandate the state budget' literally means that the consitution is mandating the state budget to do something, which is illogical.

Only we are left with the correct option (A).

Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year

Here meaning seems to be quite clear.

Some constitutions mandate to do something. -> What does it mandate ? -> It mandates that .... state budget be balanced each year

Hence clearly A is the best choice of the lot.

Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year.
Mandate is a bossy verb indicating the use of command subjunctive in the sentence.
“Mandate + that + Subject + verb in bare form”

(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced
Best of All.

(B) mandate the state budget to be balanced
Doesn’t follow the command subjunctive template.

(C) mandate that the state budget will be balanced
Doesn’t follow the command subjunctive template.

(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
Doesn’t follow the command subjunctive template.

(E) have a mandate to balance the state budge
Doesn’t follow the command subjunctive template.

VeritasKarishma
Hi Karishma,

(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
(E) have a mandate to balance the state budget
Why D and E are wrong?
I understand the structure required for command subjunctive.
I want to understand when "mandate" or any other subjunctive trigger word is not used as a command subjunctive.
Is it because D and E conveys illogical meaning?

Thanks!

When a command subjunctive is used as a verb, you will use subjunctive. That is why it is called command subjunctive.

The constitution will mandate/command because it is a set of rules/commands.

So mandate is used as a verb and we must use subjunctive. The constitution is the one giving the command as the constitution must. It is after all, a set of commands and rules.

The constitution mandates (commands/requires) that this be done.

We can use mandate as a noun -
The President had a clear mandate to do this.

Here we will not use subjunctive. "Mandate" is used as a noun. The President does not give the command here. He is given the command by the electorate. He has the mandate means the electorate has asked him to do this.

Hi KarishmaB

Sorry, but can you please again tell "what is wrong with D & E?"

'mandate' means 'order/require/command.' It is a bossy verb.

The constitution of any state tells us what is required. It lays down the laws and tells us what is required to be done.

So we say "constitutions mandate that ... "

We prefer the verb form. Will we say "the constitution requires that .. " or "the constitution has a requirement that ..."?
The direct, clean and best way to say it is by using the verb form 'requires.'
Hence (D) and (E) are inferior.

In option (B), the object of the verb mandate is 'the state budget.' But the constitutions do not mandate the state budget. They mandate that the state budget be balanced. In option (A), the entire 'that clause' becomes the object of the verb 'mandate' and that makes sense because that is the mandate.

Also, we cannot use the future 'will be' for a standing law/directive. Anyway we are using a subjunctive so we must use the base form of the verb 'be.'

Answer (A)

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