Infinitive without 'to': Mr Richardson did not agree that the budget be increased

[Saneta]

In some book called: Office English there is the sentence: ,,Mr Richardson did not agree that the budget be increased''. I don't know why in this sentence it is used the infinitive without ''to'': be increased, what is the structure of the second part of this sentence and if the meaning of the sentence is: ,,Mr Richards did not agree that the budget would be increased.''?
thanks a lot for help!

[Saneta]

My problem is that I don't know how to translate the second part of above sentence so as to it would have the connection with the first part of sentence. What is the equivalent sentence of the sentence above? Thanks.

[Alan]

Hi,

In your sentence: Mr Richardson did not agree that the budget be increased, there is possibly a word missing - either 'would' or 'should'. This could mean He didn't agree that the budget was going to be increased (would be) or He didn't think it was right for the budget to be increased (should be).

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Kitosdad]

Of course another alternative would be; " Mr. Richardson did not agree to the budget being increased. "
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[Saneta]

Thank You Mr Alan, Mr Kitosdad and Mr Torsten!!! So this sentence without the missing words: would or should or other given alternative is incorrect?

[Alan]

Hi,

I would say the original sentence doesn't really make sense.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Morteza]

Hi Guys,
I surprisingly think the sentence which Saneta wrote is correct.
I read this grammaticcal structure called SUBJUNCTIVE from the book written by George Yule.
He says We can use it in formal situations after verbs expressing orders,rules or suggestions in that-clauses.
The verb must be in the same form as the base form of the verb;however,we can use "should" before the base form of the verb.(It may be a good way to translate these sentences!)
Ex:The committee has suggested that the cost of admission be increased/should be increased.
The coach asked that the footballer be allowed/should be allowed to enter the college without an examination.
Best regards,
Morteza

[Kitosdad]

Morteza, you are of course correct, but it is unusual to read text couched so nowadays. It was not new to me, nor to Alan.

I'm getting to like you more every day Mort. :) :)
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Alan]

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Hi Morteza,

What you have written about this subjunctive form is of course perfectly correct after the types of verbs you have mentioned. At the same time 'agree' doesn't really fit into that category because traditionally 'agree' is invariably followed by a particle such as 'to' 'with' or 'on'.That's why 'agree that something be done' doesn't really work. You need something to bridge the gap and that's why I suggested 'would' or 'should' or indeed as Bill has suggested: 'agree to something being done.'

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Saneta]

Mr Alan could you specify the most frequent verbs after which the subjunctive form we can use: suggest, ask, what's more? Thanks a lot!

[Morteza]

Hi,
Thanks a lot,Dear Alan & Bill !
Regards,
Morteza