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English grammar

The subjunctive and should after demands and recommendations

C1 · Advanced Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

After verbs and adjectives of demanding, recommending or importance — insist, demand, recommend, suggest, propose, request, it is essential / vital / important that — formal English uses the base form of the verb for every person: The committee recommends that he resign; It is essential that every visitor sign in. There is no -s and no shift into the past: They insisted that she be present. The negative is not + base form, with no do: We asked that the name not be published. British English often uses should instead (It is essential that every visitor should sign in), and in everyday speech the ordinary tense is common (I suggest he takes a break). What is never right is suggest somebody to do. A few fixed subjunctives survive in all registers: if need be, be that as it may, so be it, come what may.

Pattern

insist / demand / recommend / suggest / propose + that + subject + base verb · it is essential / vital / important that + subject + base verb · … that + subject + not + base verb · (British) … that + subject + should + verb

Examples

  1. The doctor recommended that she take a week off work.

  2. It is vital that every visitor be given a badge.

  3. They insisted that the meeting not be recorded.

  4. Be that as it may, we still need an answer by Friday.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The manager suggested me to apply.

    Right: The manager suggested that I apply.

    suggest never takes an object + to-infinitive.

  • Wrong: It is essential that he signs the form himself.

    Right: It is essential that he sign the form himself.

    In formal English the subjunctive has no -s.

  • Wrong: We recommend that she doesn’t to travel.

    Right: We recommend that she not travel.

    The negative subjunctive is not + base form, with no do.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The board insisted that the chairman resign.
    2. The board insisted the chairman resigning.
    3. The board insisted on the chairman resign.
    4. The board insisted the chairman to resign.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The board insisted that the chairman resign.

    insist that + subject + base form.

  2. 2Fill in the gap.

    It is essential that the contract _____ checked by a lawyer.

    1. be
    2. to be
    3. is being
    4. being
    Show answer

    Answer: A It is essential that the contract be checked by a lawyer.

    Formal: it is essential that + subject + be.

  3. 3This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    She suggested me to take the earlier train.

    1. She suggested me that I take the earlier train.
    2. She suggested that I take the earlier train.
    3. She suggested for me to take the earlier train.
    4. She suggested to me take the earlier train.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She suggested that I take the earlier train.

    suggest that + subject + base form — never suggest me to.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is right for a formal letter?

    Asking that a decision be reviewed.

    1. We request that the decision be reviewed.
    2. We request the decision to being reviewed.
    3. Please can you review the decision, yeah?
    4. We are requesting that the decision reviews.
    Show answer

    Answer: A We request that the decision be reviewed.

    Formal request: request that + subject + be + past participle.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Make it formal with the subjunctive.

    The rules say every member must pay by June.

    1. The rules require that every member pay by June.
    2. The rules require that every member to pay by June.
    3. The rules require every member paying by June.
    4. The rules require that every member paid by June.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The rules require that every member pay by June.

    require that + subject + base form, with no -s.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I propose that the meeting is postpone.
    2. I propose the meeting been postponed.
    3. I propose the meeting to be postponed.
    4. I propose that the meeting be postponed.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I propose that the meeting be postponed.

    propose that + subject + be + past participle.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    We asked that our names _____ be mentioned in the report.

    1. no
    2. do not
    3. don’t
    4. not
    Show answer

    Answer: D We asked that our names not be mentioned in the report.

    The negative subjunctive: not + base form, no do.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    The inspector recommended that the kitchen be closed.

    1. The inspector said the kitchen was closed.
    2. The inspector asked everyone why the kitchen had been closed.
    3. The inspector closed the kitchen himself.
    4. The inspector said the kitchen should be closed.
    Show answer

    Answer: D The inspector said the kitchen should be closed.

    A recommendation, not a report of fact: should be closed.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    It is vital that she be told at once

    Show answer

    Answer: It is vital that she be told at once.

    vital that + subject + be + past participle.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    The judge ordered that the man is to released.

    1. The judge ordered the man be to released.
    2. The judge ordered that the man be released.
    3. The judge ordered the man being released.
    4. The judge ordered the man was release.
    Show answer

    Answer: B The judge ordered that the man be released.

    order that + subject + be + past participle.

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