Present Subjunctive
The Present Subjunctive in English is used to express suggestions, demands, formal commands, or hypothetical situations. It is also used to talk about something that is important, necessary, or desirable. Unlike most verb forms in English, the present subjunctive does not change according to the subject.
Mood:
The Present Subjunctive uses the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, requirements, recommendations, or situations contrary to fact.
Usage:
- To express formal suggestions or recommendations:
I suggest that he study harder. - To state formal requirements:
It is essential that every member be present. - In hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions (formal/literary):
If this be the case, we must reconsider. - In fixed expressions:
God save the Queen. / Long live the King.
Formation:
The Present Subjunctive uses the base form of the verb (no -s ending for third person singular).
The verb be is irregular: it uses be for all persons.
Examples with "study":
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | study |
| You | study |
| He/She | study |
| We | study |
| They | study |
Examples with "be":
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| I | be |
| You | be |
| He/She | be |
| We | be |
| They | be |
Common Triggers:
- Verbs: suggest, recommend, demand, insist, propose, request
- Adjectives: essential, important, necessary, urgent, vital
- Nouns: recommendation, demand, request, proposal
Examples:
- They insisted that she attend the meeting. (not "attends")
- It is important that he be on time.
- The teacher recommended that we read the next chapter.
- Long live the King! (fixed expression)
Notes:
- The present subjunctive is more common in American English; British English often uses "should" + base form instead:
They insisted that she should attend the meeting. - In informal speech, the indicative often replaces the subjunctive in everyday English:
They insisted that she attends the meeting. (common in casual speech, but not formally correct in AmE)
