Quote:
In one of the most important episodes in legal history and the evolution of democracy, King John of England in June 1215 yielded to the rebel barons
demanding that he should sign a charter guaranteeing them certain inalienable rights.
(A) demanding that he should
(B) demanding him to
(C) and their demand to
(D) who demanded that he
(E) who demanded him to
Experts Global Explanation:
Subjunctive MoodPlease note that the use of the bossy verb “demanded” implies that the information presented in this sentence is better conveyed through the subjunctive mood; further, “bossy verb (demanded) + that + basic form of the verb (sign)” is a correct subjunctive verb usage.
A. This answer choice suffers from redundancy in that it utilizes the word “should” alongside the verb “demanding”. Further, the use of the verb “demanding” indicates that the meaning of this sentence is better conveyed through the subjunctive mood, meaning that the action that the verb “demanding” refers to must be expressed in the basic form of the verb (sign). Please remember, “bossy verb (demanded) + that +basic form of the verb (sign)” is a correct subjunctive verb usage.
B. This answer choice uses the verb “demanding”, indicating that the subjunctive mood is preferable in this context; however, Option B fails to maintain a correct subjunctive mood structure, “bossy verb (demanding) + that + basic form of the verb (sign)”, by omitting the word “that”.
C. This answer choice slightly alters the meaning of the sentence by illogically referring to the nouns “rebel barons” and their “demand” as separate entities.
D. This answer choice maintains proper verb use and a correct subjunctive mood structure “bossy verb (demanding) + that + basic form of the verb (sign)”; remember, the use of the verb “demanded” indicates that the subjunctive mood is preferable in this context.
E. This answer choice fails to maintain a correct subjunctive mood structure, by omitting the word “that”. The use of the bossy verb “demanded” implies that the information presented in this sentence is better conveyed through the subjunctive mood; further, “bossy verb (demanded) + that +basic form of the verb (sign)” is a correct subjunctive verb usage.
D is the best answer choice.