accept / accepts

[Manuel_M]

Hello,

It is important that the Council accepts them as they are. / It is important that the Council accept them as they are?

I would appreciate opinions about which form is correct.

Thanks.

 

[panjandrum]

It's the difference between present and present subjunctive.
In a formal context for many, and in any context for some, the present subjunctive "accept" should be used.

This thread contains a relevant discussion:
It is imperative that ... passwords <are /be> .... [subjunctive?]

 

[Loob]

AmE is happier with the subjunctive than BrE is.

So:
It is important that the Council accept them as they are.
Better in AmE.

It is important that the Council accepts them as they are.
Better in BrE.

There are, in theory, differences in meaning between the two options.

 

[JamesM]

Just to follow up on Loob's comment, they do mean different things to me.

"...that the Council accept them..." - The council has not accepted them yet. It is important that it do so (in the future).
"...that the council accepts them..." - The council does accept them as they are. The fact that it does accept them is important.

 

[Manuel_M]

Thanks to all three for your very helpful comments.