Dear Instructors,

Could you please explain why do is used below instead of does. Doesn't singular subject friend requires a singular verb ?

she requires that her friend do work

saxenankit,
The sentence you have written is an example of the command subjunctive mood. Look at pages 113-114 in the sentence correction strategy guide for more information about this topic.

Basically, the command subjunctive is used with "bossy verbs", which are verbs in which someone is told to carry out some action. Examples of such verbs are demand, require, mandate, insist, suggest, etc.

The formula for putting together this sentence is the following:

subject + (bossy verb) + "that" + object + (infinitive form of the verb minus the "to").

For example, I demand that you do your homework.

--"I" is the subject
--"demand" is the bossy verb
--"that" follows the bossy verb
--"you" is the object
--"do" is the bare form of the verb--we take the infinitive "to do" and drop the "to"

There are certain verbs that take only the command subjunctive form, such as demand, dictate, and others. Again, please read the pages in the strategy guide as they give a very good overview.

_________________
Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor

The last two sentences of page 113 is very direct to decide the verb form .
Suppose you have to tell you friend directly , what will you tell then - 'do your work' . not, 'does your work' . thats the verb form should be used in subjunctive mood .

It makes sense now...

Good to hear. Thanks prana.

_________________
Jamie Nelson
ManhattanGMAT Instructor