The subjunctive

Definition.
The subjunctive mood is that form or use of the verb which
expresses action or being, not as a fact, but as merely conceived
in the mind.
Meaning of the word.
Subjunctive means subjoined, or joined as dependent or
subordinate to something else.
The subjunctive is used in formal English when we wish to
express the importance of something. It usually follows verbs like
recommend, insist or suggest, and other words that express these
ideas, such as vital, important or essential.

The verbs
These are verbs typically followed by clauses that take the
subjunctive:
ask, demand, determine, insist, order, pray, prefer,
recommend, regret, request, require, suggest, and wish.
Examples:
-

The manager demanded that we be here at 8:00 a.m.

The boss insisted that she do the job herself.
The major ordered that all troops move to the border.

Structure of the Subjunctive

The structure of the subjunctive is extremely simple. For all
verbs except the past tense of be, the subjunctive is the same as
the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to")

be (past)
I were
you were
he, she, it were
we were
you were
they were

be (present) all other verbs (past &

present)
I be
I work
you be
you work
he, she, it be he, she, it work
we be
we work
you be
you work
they be
they work

The subjunctive does not change according to person (I, you, he

etc).

The structure
1. Tense isnt reflected in the subordinate clause of the
subjunctive mood except when indicating a hypothetical
situation as in wish and if clause type two .
Examples:
1- He demands that we help the poor.
2- He demanded that we help the poor.
2- I wish he were here.
3- If I were you, I would study harder.

Agreement
2. Agreement that is seen via the usage of the
morphological realisations isnt used. It isnt reflected for
the person agreement.
Example:
-

He insists that we go now.

He insisted that he go now.

Passive and progressive

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Passive
-

He insisted that we be told the truth.

It is important that we be shown the paper.
She demanded that he be told the truth.

Progressive
-

He insists that we be moving the car soon.

It is vital that this machine be operating before noon.
It is crucial that you be leaving before they come.

The subjunctive is typically used after four structures:

The verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose,
recommend, request, suggest + that .
-

I recommend that he see a doctor.

She insisted that dinner be served immediately.

The expressions: it is desirable, essential, important,

necessary, vital + that .
-

It is necessary that you not miss the meeting.

It is desirable that she exercise every day.

After wish construction.

-

I wish I were in Mekka.

Layla wishes that she studied harder.

Type two of If clause.

-

If I were in Egypt, I would visit the pyramids.

If Ali ran faster, he would win the race.

(The verb follows if and expresses a non-factual condition.)

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Moreover,
It is most often found in clauses following a verb that expresses a
doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal.

Example :
-

His requirement is that everyone be computer literate.

(Subordinate clause follows main clause with a demand.)

Use of the Subjunctive

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not
certain to happen.
For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that
somebody:

wants to happen
-

She demands that Ahmad finish his work before he left.

The headmaster insists that all teachers attend the
graduation.

hopes will happen

-

It is important that Salma support the project.

It is essential that the government not pass the new law.

imagines happening
-

If my mother were here, we wouldnt find it difficult to prepare

lunch.
If Samer came to the meeting earlier, we wouldnt be stuck in
this traffic jam!

Examples:
1. The President requests that you be present at the meeting.
2. It is vital that you be present at the meeting.
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3. If you were at the meeting, the president would be happy.

4. The manager insists that the parking lot be locked at night.
5. The board of directors recommended that he join the company.
6. It is essential that we vote as soon as possible.

Notice

Notice that in these structures the subjunctive is always the

same. It does not matter whether the sentence is past or
present. Look at these examples:

Present:
-

The President requests that they stop the occupation.

Past:
-

The President requested that they stop the occupation.

Present:
-

It is essential that she be present.

Past:
-

It was essential that she be present.

Usage in Language

The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in

American English than in British English, where should +
infinitive is often used:
-

The manager insists that the parking lot should be locked at

night.
It was essential that we should vote as soon as possible.

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 We usually use the subjunctive were instead of "was" after if

(and other words with similar meaning).
Look at these sentences:
-

If I were you, I would buy it.

Suppose Sami were here. What would you say?

Was and Were

we often use the subjunctive form were instead of "was" after:

if
-

If it werent raining, we wouldnt stay home doing nothing.

If the teacher werent absent, we would go to the city library.

as if
-

He acts as if he were the president.

She talks to us as if she were our boss!

wish
-

I wish I werent the school principal in these terrible

circumstances.
Layla wishes that this car were hers.

Fixed Expressions
Long live the King!
God bless Jordan!
God forbid!
Be that as it may, he still wants to see her.
Come what may, I will never forget you.
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 We are all citizens of the world, as it were.

Examples:
1. It's important that she remember to take her medicine twice a
day.
2. I suggest that Frank read the directions carefully before
assembling the bicycle.
3. Mrs. Finkelstein demanded that the heater repair immediately.
4. It's vital that the United States focus on improving its public
education system.
5. The monk insisted that the tourists enter the temple until they
had removed their shoes.
6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that
she immediately apologize for what she just said.

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Exercise:
Put the verb in parentheses in the correct form in
the space provided:
1. The manager demanded that Sami . Late.
(stay)
2. Ahmad suggested that I a vacation soon. ( take)
3. If Layla .. here, we would start immediately. (be)
4. Pilots have the chance to try this new airplane. I wish I
.. a pilot. (be)
5. It is important that Ali .. his job thoroughly. (do)
6. It is essential that you a doctor. (see)
7. It is crucial that she .. to the hospital. ( be, take)
8. It is advisable that Salma daily. ( brush)
9. It is important that you .. when the manager
arrives. ( be, work)
10. I recommend that the patient .. the
results. (not,be,show)
11. I insisted that my grandmother .. lunch with me.
( have)
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12. If Jane harder, she would be happy now. (study)

13. Mohammad wishes he . at home. (be)
14. The government urged that everybody . before
10:00 p.m. ( vote)
15. She acts as if she . the store. (own)

Answers:
1. stay 2. Take 3. Were 4. Were 5. Do 6. See 7. Be taken 8.
Brush 9. Be working 10. Not be shown 11. Have 12 studied
13. Were 14. Vote 15. owned

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