Subjunctive verbs for example - (I suggest that he go.)

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Subjunctive

The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the Subjunctive. After you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use this verb form, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.

FORM

Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the verb "to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.

USE

The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see below).

Examples:

• I suggest that he study.
• Is it essential that we be there?
• Don recommended that you join the committee.

NOTICE

The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb.

Examples:

• You try to study often. you-form of "try"
• It is important that you try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" looks the same.

• He tries to study often. he-form of "try"
• It is important that he try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try" is noticeable here.

Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive

The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:

to advise (that)
to ask (that)

to command (that)
to demand (that)
to desire (that)
to insist (that)
to propose (that)
to recommend (that)
to request (that)
to suggest (that)
to urge (that)

Examples:

• Dr. Smith asked that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.
• Donna requested Frank come to the party.
• The teacher insists that her students be on time.

Expressions Followed by the Subjunctive

The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:

It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)

Examples:

• It is crucial that you be there before Tom arrives.
• It is important she attend the meeting.
• It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of Subjunctive

The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms.

Negative Examples:

• The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.
• The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours.
• I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.

Passive Examples:

• Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.
• Christine demanded that I be allowed to take part in the negotiations.
• We suggested that you be admitted to the organization.

Continuous Examples:

• It is important that you be standing there when he gets off the plane.
• It is crucial that a car be waiting for the boss when the meeting is over.
• I propose that we all be waiting in Tim's apartment when he gets home.

Should as Subjunctive

After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs "suggest," "recommend" and "insist."

Examples:

• The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.
• Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.

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The Subjunctive is used to emphasise urgency or importance. The Subjunctive form is used with the simple form of the verb i.e. the infinitive without 'to'; to go is 'go'. The Subjunctive is only used with certain verbs and in certain forms.

The Subjunctive is used with certain expressions:

I suggest that he go.
It is essential that we be there.
It was recommended that he make the speech.

The Subjunctive is not easily recognisable in certain forms and tenses. It is not noticeable with 'you' but it is noticeable with 'he'.
You try to study hard.
It is important that you try to study hard. This is the subjunctive form but it is no different to the first example which is not.

He tries to study hard.
It is important that he try to study hard. The difference between 'He tries' and the subjunctive 'he try' is more noticeable here.

Here are some verbs after which the Subjunctive is used:

To advise (that)
To ask (that)
To demand (that)
To desire (that)
To insist (that)
To propose (that)
To recommend (that)
To request (that)
To suggest (that)
To urge (that)

The committee requested that Peter submit his proposals by the end of the week.
We insist that all the trainees be on time.
The company request Mr. Jones come to the meeting.

The Subjunctive is also used after the following expressions:

It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)
It is important that you be there.
It is recommended that he take a month’s leave of absence.

The Subjunctive is used in the negative, continuous and passive forms.

The company asked that their employees not accept personal calls at work.
It  was recommended that she be hired for the post.
It is important that a car be waiting when the delegates arrive.

After many of the expressions above, the word 'should' is sometimes used to express the idea of the Subjunctive. This form is more frequent in British English and is more common after 'suggest', 'recommend' and 'insist'.

It was recommended that she should see a specialist.
The tutor suggested that Sarah should try to study harder.

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Base Subjunctive

Form of base subjunctive

The form of the base subjunctive is extremely simple. For all verbs and all persons, the form is the base of the verb, for example: be, have, do, go, sing, work

The base subjunctive does not use any other forms (goes, sings, works).

This table shows the base subjunctive in all persons, using the verbs be, work and sing as examples:

	base-subjunctive
	be	work	sing
I	be	work	sing
you	be	work	sing
he, she, it	be	work	sing
we	be	work	sing
you	be	work	sing
they	be	work	sing

Note that the subjunctive does not change at all according to person (I, you, he etc).

Use of base subjunctive

In certain that clauses

The base subjunctive is typically used in that clauses after two structures:

1. suggest-verb (or noun) + that

• ask, command, demand, insist, order, propose, recommend, request, suggest
• command, demand, order, proposal, recommendation, request, suggestion

2. advisable/anxious-adjective + that

• advisable, desirable, essential, important, necessary, unthinkable, vital
• adamant, anxious, determined, eager, keen

Look at these sentences which include examples of the above:

		example sentence
		main clause		that clause with subjunctive
suggest-verb (or noun)		He	suggests	that	you		be	present at the meeting.
		The board	recommended	that	he		join	the company.
		He	requested	that	the car park	not	be	locked at night.
		They made a	suggestion	that	we		be	early.
		He made a	proposal	that	the company		buy	more land.
		The president has issued an	order	that	the secretary		resign	next month.
adj.	a d v i s a b l e	It is	advisable	that	she		rest	for a week.
		It was	essential	that	the army		advance	rapidly.
		After the landing, it will be	vital	that	every soldier	not	use	a radio.
	a n x i o u s	Tara is	anxious	that	you		return	immediately.
		They are	keen	that	he	not	be	victimised.
		We were	determined	that	it		remain	secret.

Notice above↑:

• the position of not when creating negation
• that the main clause can be in any tense

Look at some more examples, which include that clauses in negative and continuous form:

• The judges order that he stay the execution.
• We have made a request that we not be disturbed.
• It is important that a car be waiting when we arrive.
• The manager was eager that his visitor see the new building.
• The board of directors recommended that he not be dismissed.
• Have you seen my suggestion that work hours be reduced?

The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American English than in British English, where should structures are often used:

• It was essential that we should vote the following day.
• He requested that the car park should not be locked at night.

be after if

We sometimes use subjunctive be after if/whether, though this is rather formal, especially in British English:

If that	be	(not)	the case,	I intend to report the matter.
Whether he	be		prepared or not,