Learn English – Asked that he be careful vs. Ask him to be careful

meaning

I understand that the sentence

I asked him to be careful.

is indirect speech and

I asked that he be careful.

is subjunctive. What I don't understand is if there is any differences between them in meaning. When I say either of these sentences what comes to a native speaker's mind.

Are there any differences in meaning? Can I use each interchangeably? When does a native speaker tend to use either of these sentences?

Best Answer

Your two sentences can have slightly different meanings

I asked him to be careful.
I asked him to be careful on the drive home because it was snowing.

can have the meaning that "he" be careful for himself "that he take care of himself"

I asked that he be careful.
I asked that he be careful moving the furniture around the house

might usually be said with regard to "him" taking care when doing something with more regard to the environment round "him".

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