SC Guide 8, 3rd ed - page 152: Verb Tense, Mood & Voice

[ooisuankim]

Question 23(correction): It is necessary that our condominium association complywith the new ordinance, which requires homeowners to clear the snow from the sidewalks in front of their property

Could an instructor kindly explain why the word "comply" is used instead of "complies"?

Is a possible explanation due to the reason as per page 135: that the Bare Form requires that there is no-S on the end for the third person singular? In addition thereto, does the word "necessary" function as a bossy verb that takes only the command subjunctive?

What about the fact that condominium association is singular?

Views and advice from any of the instructors is greatly appreciated.

[esledge]

In addition thereto, does the word "necessary" function as a bossy verb that takes only the command subjunctive?

What about the fact that condominium association is singular?

Command subjunctive is indeed the reason.

Within the "command" part of such a sentence, subject-verb agreement rules don't apply. To say "the condominium association complies with xxxx" would be correct if this were a stand-alone sentence, describing something that is true! But in the sentence given, the condo association may or may not be complying with the rules, and the idea of the association complying is purely theoretical. Command subjunctive deliberately forms the verb differently, to show that the action isn't necessarily happening.

For the command subjunctive, we use the infinitive minus the "to": comply.