What is the subjunctive?
The subjunctive is a special verb form used in formal English to emphasize requests, orders, demands and recommendations — things somebody wants to happen, rather than things that are happening.
Its form is simple: the infinitive without to, for every subject.
verb / adjective + that + subject + base verb
It's better that the money go to an organized charity.
It's important that you be comfortable with how much you give.
I suggest your friend live on the streets for a week and see what it's like.
Note: in the third example, that has been left out. This is normal and correct — the subjunctive still applies.
What the form actually looks like
Because it is the bare infinitive, the subjunctive breaks two rules students are used to:
| Ordinary verb | Subjunctive |
|---|
| he goes / she arrives / it takes | that he go · that she arrive · that it take (no -s) |
| I am / you are / he is | that I be · that you be · that he be (always be) |
| it was changed | that it be changed (passive keeps be) |
It also does not change for tense. Even after a past-tense main verb, the subjunctive stays in the base form:
The committee recommended that the rule be changed. (not was changed)
They demanded that he be released immediately.
What triggers it
Verbs of asking and advising, followed by a that-clause:
ask · demand · insist · propose · recommend · request · require · suggest · urge
We ask that all visitors sign in at reception.
The doctor insisted that she stay in bed for a week.
Adjectives of importance, in the pattern It is + adjective + that:
essential · good · better · important · necessary · vital · crucial · advisable
It is vital that every passenger have a valid ticket.
Is it really necessary that I apologize?
Also nouns. The related nouns work the same way: her suggestion that the meeting be postponed, his request that she be told the truth.
Negatives, and the should alternative
To make a subjunctive negative, put not directly before the base verb. There is no do and no doesn't.
that + subject + not + base verb
We insist that he not be told about the surprise.
The court ordered that she not leave the country.
Two other versions you will hear. The bare subjunctive is standard in formal writing and especially common in American English. British English often prefers should + base verb: I suggest that he should go. In informal British speech you will also hear an ordinary verb: I suggest that he goes. All three are used — but in formal writing, and in this unit, use the subjunctive.
Common mistakes
Almost every error is an extra to, an extra -s, a tense that shouldn't be there, or not in the wrong place.
⚠ Common mistakes:
✗ I recommend that she to take the earlier train. → ✓ that she take
✗ We ask that all visitors to sign in. → ✓ that all visitors sign in
✗ The committee recommended that the rule was changed. → ✓ that the rule be changed
✗ It's better that the money given to charity. → ✓ that the money be given
✗ We insist that he be not told. → ✓ that he not be told
✗ She insisted that he doesn't tell anyone. → ✓ that he not tell anyone