Subjunctive (EnglishClub.

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She insists that he come.

The English subjunctive is a special, relatively rare verb form

that expresses something desired or imagined.

We use the subjunctive 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

anticipates will happen

imagines happening

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

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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

 advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, order, prefer,
propose, recommend, request, suggest

command, demand, order, proposal, recommendation,

request, suggestion

2. advisable/anxious-adjective + that

advisable, best, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative,

important, necessary, unthinkable, urgent, vital

adamant, anxious, determined, eager, keen

Look at these sentences which include examples of the above:

main clause
that clause

suggest-verb with subjunctive

He suggests that you   be present at the

meeting.

The recommend that he   join the company.

board

He requested that the car not be locked at night.

park

main clause
that clause

suggest-noun with subjunctive

They made a suggestion that we be early.

He made a proposal that the buy more

company land.
main clause
that clause

suggest-noun with subjunctive

The president has issued order that the resign next

an secretary month.

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main clause
that clause

advisable-adjective with subjunctive

It is advisable that she   rest for a

week.

It was essential that the army   advance rapidly

After the landing, it vital that every not use a radio

will be soldier

main clause
that clause

anxious-adjective with subjunctive

Tara is anxious that you   return soon.

They are keen that he not be hurt.

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?

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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,

“ If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

— William Shakespeare

Fixed expressions

Note the following fixed expressions with the subjunctive:

Bless you!

God bless America!

God save the Queen.

Long live the President!

Heaven forbid!

Heaven help us!

were-Subjunctive

Form of were-subjunctive

  were-subjunctive
be

I were

you were

he, she, it were

we were

you were

they were

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

Use of were-subjunctive

In the following examples, you can see that we sometimes use

the were-subjunctive (instead of was) after:

if

as if
 wish

suppose

Note that in these cases were is always correct, but was is

possible in informal language:

Formal with were Informal with was

I would go if I were younger. I would go if I was younger.

If he were not so mean, he If he wasn't so mean, he would buy one.

would buy one.

I'd tell her if I were you. We do not normally say "if I was you" even in
colloquial language.

It's not as if I were ugly. It's not as if I was ugly.

She acts as if she were the She acts as if she was the Queen.
Queen.

I wish I weren't so slow! I wish I wasn't so slow!

I wish the computer were I wish the computer was working.

working.

Suppose she were here. What Suppose she was here. What would you
would you say? say?

If I Were a Rich Man

— Fiddler on the Roof


“ If I were a boy
— Beyoncé

If I were a carpenter

And you were a lady,

Would you marry me anyway?

Would you have my baby?

— Tim Hardin

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Strange as it may seem, although the words hope and wish
seem to be similar, we do not use the subjunctive with
hope. Correct sentences with hope would be, for example:

I hope that this computer works.

I hope that this computer is working.