Tradition has it that he or she is crowned king or queen for the day!

Danielle A.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Tradition has it that he or she is crowned king or queen for the day!

Should this prompt be "tradition has it that he or she be crowned king or queen for the day!"? 

Asked 10 months ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Yes, Danielle, your version is a higher register of English as it uses the (almost extinct) subjunctive. It is still commonly used in sentences like "Long live the king!" This is an exact parallelism to "The tradition is that he be crowned." instead of "....he is crowned" (which would be the indicative and not the subjunctive mood).

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Danielle,

Couronner is a transitive verb so takes a direct object. I see "he or she crowned (couronner)" as being valid.

Your proposal would introduce the verb être before couronné (past participle)?

I don't see this construction (passive voice?) as appropriate.

Let's see what others may comment.

Bonne journée

Jim

Danielle A. asked:

Tradition has it that he or she is crowned king or queen for the day!

Should this prompt be "tradition has it that he or she be crowned king or queen for the day!"? 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...