The subjunctive and formal structures
The base-form subjunctive after suggest, insist and it is essential, the were-subjunctive, and fixed formal patterns such as lest and be that as it may.
When you use it
The subjunctive is the verb form English uses after words that demand, recommend or require something: We insist that he be on time. In the present it is the bare base form for every person; in the past it is were for every person. In everyday speech many speakers replace it with should or with an ordinary tense, so you meet it mostly in formal writing, in legal and business texts, and in American English, where it is fully alive. At C1 you need to recognise it everywhere and to produce it in formal contexts, along with a small set of related formal patterns: lest, whether ... or, and fixed phrases such as be that as it may.
How it is formed
The mandative subjunctive (demands and recommendations):
| Trigger | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verbs: suggest, recommend, insist, demand, require, propose, request, ask, urge | verb + that + subject + base form | She insisted that he apologise. |
| adjectives: essential, important, vital, necessary, crucial, advisable | It is + adjective + that + subject + base form | It is essential that every door be locked. |
| nouns: suggestion, recommendation, demand, requirement, proposal | noun + that + subject + base form | Their demand that the fee be refunded was rejected. |
| negative | that + subject + not + base form | We ask that guests not smoke indoors. |
| passive | that + subject + be + past participle | It was proposed that the meeting be postponed. |
| British alternative | that + subject + should + base form | She insisted that he should apologise. |
The subjunctive is visible only where it differs from the ordinary form: third person singular (he go, not he goes), the verb be (it be, not it is), and negatives (he not go, with no does). It has no tense, so it does not shift after a past main verb: She insisted that he apologise, never apologised.
The were-subjunctive and fixed formal patterns:
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| if, as if, as though, wish, would rather + were | If I were you, I'd wait. She talks as if she were the boss. |
| suppose, imagine + were (+ to) | Suppose he were to refuse. |
| lest, for fear that + base form | Write it down lest you forget. |
| whether ... or + base form | Whether it be rain or snow, the match goes ahead. |
| set phrases | So be it. Far be it from me to complain. Come what may. Be that as it may, we need a decision. |
Examples
- The doctor recommended that Tom take a week off.
- Anna's landlord insists that the rent be paid on the first of the month.
- It is important that every guest sign the book at reception.
- We request that visitors not park in front of the gate.
- If I were you, I would accept the offer.
- Tom talks about the flat as though it were already his.
- Anna demanded that the refund be issued immediately.
- Take an umbrella lest it rain on the way home.
Common mistakes
- Using an ordinary present or past after a mandative verb.
✗ The manager insisted that everyone arrived by nine.
✓ The manager insisted that everyone arrive by nine.
Russian настаивал, чтобы все пришли and Ukrainian наполягав, щоб усі прийшли use a past-looking form after чтобы / щоб, so the English past feels right. It is not: with a past form insist changes meaning to "claim as a fact". - Object + infinitive after suggest or recommend.
✗ Anna suggested Tom to take the earlier train.
✓ Anna suggested that Tom take the earlier train.
Suggest, recommend and propose never take an object followed by to. Russian предложила Тому поехать and Ukrainian запропонувала Тому поїхати have exactly that shape, which is why the calque is so common. Use that + subjunctive or suggest + -ing. - Backshifting the subjunctive after a past verb.
✗ The judge ordered that the papers were returned.
✓ The judge ordered that the papers be returned.
The subjunctive has no tense and no agreement, so it stays be whatever the main verb does. - Was after if I and wish in formal writing.
✗ If I was you, I would refuse. (in a formal letter)
✓ If I were you, I would refuse.
Both are heard in conversation, but in writing were is expected. Russian если бы я был and Ukrainian якби я був use a real past form plus a particle, which makes was look like the equivalent. - Doubling the marker with should and to.
✗ It is vital that he should to attend.
✓ It is vital that he attend. / It is vital that he should attend.
Choose one device: either the bare subjunctive or should + base form. Never should to, and never should plus a third-person -s.
Try it
- The teacher insisted that every student ___ (hand) in the essay on time.
- It is essential that the door ___ (be) locked at night.
- Anna suggested that Tom ___ (not / drive) after the party.
- If I ___ (be) you, I would ask for a refund.
- The committee proposed that the fee ___ (be / reduce).