Dear All,

Does the subjunctive always follow the phrase "on condition that..." ? For example :

"It was on condition that she leave the country."

Thank you.
Ricky

The results of my research are mixed. Both dictionaries I've consulted provide example sentences with only the indicative in the dependent clause after "on condition that." Neither dictionary offers any example of the subjunctive.

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2003) gives this example:

"He was released on bail on condition that he did not go within half a mile of his mother's address"

(Subjunctive would be "that he not go.")

The Collins COBUILD English Language Dictionary (1987) gives this definition and these examples:

"When you agree to do something on condition that something else happens, you mean that you will only do it happens or is agreed to first. eg

He has agreed to come on condition that there won't be any press or publicity...They could use the land for a year and half on condition they handed it back cleared of weeds"

(Subjunctive would be "that there not be" and "they hand it back.")

Google, however, provides many examples of each:

SUBJUNCTIVE

"” In 1793, James Greenleaf of Boston bought 6,000 lots throughout the city, to the tune of almost $1 million. The money was to be paid in seven years on condition that he build 20 brick houses a year on the land.

The subjunctive is especially frequent in negative clauses:

"” On British advice, the government of Mexico agreed to acknowledge the independence
of Texas on condition that she not annex herself to any country.

"” A well-informed source, who spoke on condition that he not be identified because the discussions are ongoing, said that Spitzer has made his position clear to the Marsh and its directors, and that the directors are mulling over a response.

"” In a new disclosure, a senior U.S. military officer and another U.S. official, who spoke on condition that they not be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, said that an Iraqi working for U.S. intelligence alerted U.S. troops stationed near the al Qaqaa weapons facility that the installation was being looted shortly after the fall of Baghdad on April 9, 2003.

INDICATIVE

"” If there is a "prohibition on taking employment" stamp in your passport, then you will not be allowed to work. The entry in your passport will read: "Leave to enter the UK, on condition that the holder ]maintains and accommodates himself and any dependants without recourse to public funds, does not enter employment paid or unpaid and does not engage in any business or profession, is hereby given for / until ...."

"” Two hearings are held on the same day. At the first hearing Trevor is committed to a private facility, on condition that the facility accepts the admission.

"” Extracts from this document may be reproduced for education or training purposes on condition that its source is acknowledged.

"” One other proviso followed the Constitution on its journey toward ratification. Many of the delegates signed only on condition that a Bill of Rights was to accompany the new Constitution as its first set of amendments. This did in fact take place and would prove to be essential to the character of the Constitution.

Marilyn

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