2 MAY 1952, Page 18

Subjunctive Needed

SIR,—There has been a tendency in recent years to use the indicative instead of the subjunctive with expressions such as "it is important that" or - it is essential that." This is much to be deprecated, and I did not expect to find in your paper such an appalling example as " it would seem to be imperative that our defences—such as they are— against this plague are as strong as we can make them." If they are as strong as we can make them, how can jt be imperative that they should be made so ?—Yours faithfully, G. STREETEN.

The Grange, Ash, Mattock, Somerset. Brigadier.