16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardSubjunctive after 'insisted that'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The coxswain insisted that every crew member ____ a lifejacket, however calm the sea looked.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. wearCorrect
  2. B. wears
  3. C. wore
  4. D. is wearing

Answer: A. wear

After 'insisted that', the demand takes the base form: 'wear'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. wears
'Wears' is indicative, not the demand form.
C. wore
'Wore' reports a fact, not a requirement.
D. is wearing
'Is wearing' is not the demand form.

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