Minute vs. time

[grace]

Test No. incompl/advan-8 "Business", question 9

It is absolutely essential that the clerk takes care to ......... any decisions that have been reached during the meeting.

(a) time
(b) minute
(c) detail
(d) measure

Test No. incompl/advan-8 "Business", answer 9

It is absolutely essential that the clerk takes care to minute any decisions that have been reached during the meeting.

Correct answer: (b) minute

Your answer was: incorrect
It is absolutely essential that the clerk takes care to time any decisions that have been reached during the meeting.
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what is hte meaning of the word "time" here

[Alan]

These two words as verbs mean:

Minute: write down exact notes of what was said at a meeting

Time: measure how long something takes
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English as a Second Language
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[Cathy]

Should it be :It is absolutely essential that the clerk "TAKE" care to............ ?
Bcause we say: it's essential that subj+infintive
importatnt that subj + infintive
crucial that subj+infintive
necessary that subj+infintive

[Alan]

You have raised a very important point here. I haven't used the subjunctive in this sentence because, although it wouldn't be wrong, I think that its use here would be unnecessary. The subjunctive is slowly dying out in the language and here coming after essential it seems irrelevant because the word essential by its very meaning removes the 'hearsay' 'uncertainty' element that the subjunctive very often suggests. Perhaps if you said: It is advisable that he take note of what has happened, this might be acceptable but I still think the time has come to drop the subjunctive except of course in well known examples like: Long live the queen! and If I were you but even then it is quite usual to say If I was you today.

Hope this helps
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Phrasal Verbs/hold