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Re: Plural or singular in this sentence?

It is critical that the supplier keep customers apprised of...

It has nothing to do with singular or plural. As written, this is a mandative subjunctive construction as evidenced by the use of the plain verb-form "keep".

There's no reason why you can't drop the subjunctive and use the non-mandative declarative with the tensed form "keeps" -- the only difference is one of formality, with the subjunctive being the more formal option.

Incidentally, 'subjunctive' is NOT a mood form but a construction type recognisable by the use of the plain form of the verb.

And it's NOT a directive either, though it does invoke the concept of 'compliance'.



PaulM