Thread: Infinitive without "to"

By the way. In the explanation of the subjunctve i found:
"In less formal contexts we can use ordinary tenses instead of the subjunctive. Compare:
• They recommended that he should give up writing.
• They recommended that he give up writing, (more formal)
• They recommended that he gives up writing, (less formal)
Notice also:
• They recommended that he gave up writing. (= he gave it up)"

What is the difference in the bolt sentence? Why do we use ordinary past tence there?

Except for the second sentence they all use indicative tenses, only the second is subjunctive. I suppose the past tense here tells us that not only did they recommend giving up writing, but the person also followed that advice and has since given up writing, no longer writes today.

Originally Posted by Timon

What is the difference in the bolt bold (though most people would write or say "bolded") sentence? Why do we use ordinary past tense there?

a bolt is this: