Learn English – Which is correct: contribute or contributes

grammar

Which sentence is correct:
1. We ask that each person contribute one item to our potluck.
2. We ask that each person contributes one item to our potluck.

Best Answer

Think of it this way. First, here is a declarative sentence:-

  1. We say that each person contributes.

It is a simple indirect (reported) statement in which the verb is, therefore in the indicative; third person singular present indicative of the verb contribute.

  1. We ask that each person contribute. (not “contributes)

This sentence says nothing about how the world is. It says how we want it to be; are asking people to make it that way. So we use the verb in its modal form: contribute, not contributes.

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