In English grammar, the verb form used in that-clauses can sometimes be tricky to understand. In the sentence, ‘It is essential that they are at the peak of their physical fitness,’ the verb ‘are’ is used, and this may raise some questions for learners of English. This article will explain why ‘are’ is used in this particular sentence and how that-clauses work in general.
1. The Role of ‘That-clauses’ in English
In English, a ‘that-clause’ is often used to express something essential or necessary. The structure of the sentence can affect the verb form that follows ‘that.’ For example, in sentences like ‘It is essential that they are…,’ the verb ‘are’ is used because it is part of the structure that indicates necessity or importance.
In ‘It is essential that they are at the peak of their physical fitness,’ the ‘that-clause’ functions as the subject of the sentence. This construction is common in formal English when we need to express a strong recommendation, requirement, or necessity.
2. The Subjunctive Mood vs. Indicative Mood
In English, the verb after ‘that’ can be in the subjunctive or the indicative mood, depending on the context. The subjunctive mood is used when expressing a wish, suggestion, necessity, or hypothetical situation. However, the indicative mood is typically used when the situation is real or certain. In this case, ‘are’ is in the indicative mood because the sentence refers to a real situation, i.e., the state of their physical fitness.
While the subjunctive mood would require a different structure, such as ‘It is essential that they be at the peak of their physical fitness,’ the use of ‘are’ is appropriate here because the speaker is not expressing a hypothetical or desired situation but a factual one.
3. How to Identify the Correct Verb Form
To identify which verb form to use in a ‘that-clause,’ it’s important to determine if the sentence expresses a necessity, suggestion, or fact. In sentences like ‘It is essential,’ ‘It is important,’ or ‘It is crucial,’ the verb after ‘that’ often takes the indicative form if the action is real and observable.
When the sentence involves a hypothetical or counterfactual situation (like ‘If I were you’), the subjunctive form ‘be’ would be used instead. Understanding this distinction is key to mastering the usage of that-clauses in English.
4. Summary: Why ‘Are’ is Correct in This Sentence
The verb ‘are’ is used in the sentence ‘It is essential that they are at the peak of their physical fitness’ because the sentence refers to a real, factual situation, and the structure follows the indicative mood. This construction is commonly used in formal English to express necessity or importance.
By understanding how that-clauses work and the difference between the subjunctive and indicative moods, you can improve your understanding of grammar and use it more effectively in your writing and speech.
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