The present subjunctive expresses wishes, demands, suggestions, or hypothetical situations, often seen after specific verbs or in that-clauses, using the base form of the verb regardless of the subject.
- The main uses are for wishes, demands, suggestions, recommendations, and hypothetical or unreal situations.
- It appears primarily in dependent clauses introduced by "that."
- The verb is always in its base form (no -s, -ed, or -ing), even for third-person subjects.
Form
For all verbs, the present subjunctive uses the base form:
be, go, have, speak, ...
| Subject | Subjunctive Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I | be | I suggest that you be on time. |
| You | be | It’s important that he be ready. |
| He/She/It | be | They ask that she be present. |
| We/They | be | The teacher insists that we be quiet. |
- No -s for he/she/it; no changes for plural or singular.
The correct form is 'be' for all subjects.
Uses
- Wishes/Desires:
- "I wish that he be more patient."
- Core idea: A desired state, not a stated fact.
- Demands/Commands:
- "The manager demands that everyone submit the report by Friday."
- The action is required, not optional.
- Suggestions/Recommendations:
- "She recommends that he see a doctor."
- Advice given; the outcome is in the future or uncertain.
- Hypothetical/Unreal (in some contexts):
- "If he be available, we will start the meeting." (archaic or formal)
It is used for wishes, demands, suggestions, and hypotheticals.
Typical Verbs That Trigger the Present Subjunctive
- Suggest, recommend, demand, insist, urge, propose, require, ask (in a strong sense).
| Type | Example Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Suggestion | suggest | I suggest that he apply for the job. |
| Demand | demand | They demand that she be present. |
| Recommendation | recommend | We recommend that you start early. |
| Insistence | insist | The teacher insists that students arrive on time. |
| Request (strong) | ask | He asks that you not reveal the secret. |
'Love' is not a typical trigger for the subjunctive.
Examples
Wishes/Desires
- "I wish that he be happy."
- "She wishes that her team win the championship."
Demands/Commands
- "The director demands that everyone arrive early."
- "Our parents insist that we be home by midnight."
Suggestions/Recommendations
- "I suggest that you read this book."
- "The doctor recommends that he take a break."
Hypothetical (Formal/Archaic)
- "If she be willing, we can start the project."
Only the sentence with the base verb 'study' in the dependent clause is correct.
Exercises
Multiple Choice
- Which verb form is correct in a subjunctive clause after "The committee recommends that..."?
a) Makes
b) Make
c) Made
- Which of the following verbs typically trigger the subjunctive?
a) Suggest
b) Know
c) Demand
d) Enjoy
Sentence Correction
- Identify and correct the error in this sentence:
"The coach suggests that he trains harder."
- Revise for subjunctive:
"She insists that he is on time."
Sentence Creation
- Write a sentence using the present subjunctive after "I recommend that..."
- Use subjunctive in a demand:
"The manager that all reports by Monday."
- For each situation, write a subjunctive sentence:
a) A suggestion about studying
b) A wish for a friend’s future
c) A demand from a boss
Use the base form: 'he leave', 'she be', 'you start'.
Conclusion
The present subjunctive is crucial for expressing non-factual situations like wishes, commands, and suggestions, using the base verb form in all cases.
- It’s triggered by specific verbs (suggest, demand, recommend) in subordinate clauses.
- The same verb form is used for every subject: “be,” “go,” “have,” etc.
- Mastery of the subjunctive helps with nuance and precision in both writing and speaking.