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Teacher cue
B2 · English Grammar

The
Subjunctive

It's better that the money go to an organized charity.

that + base verb formal English
The idea

Wanted, not happening

The subjunctive gives weight to requests, orders, demands and recommendations. Its form is the infinitive without to — for every subject.

Examples

It's important that you be comfortable with giving.

I suggest your friend live on the streets for a week.

The structure

verb / adjective + that

+ subject + base verb

That can be left out. The base form stays.

Rule 1

No -s, no tense, always be

The subjunctive ignores the subject and ignores the tense of the main verb.

he goes → that he go  ·  she arrives → that she arrive
I am / you are / he is → that I be, that you be, that he be
The committee recommended that the rule be changed. (not was changed)
Rule 2

What triggers it

Verbs

ask · demand · insist · propose · recommend · request · require · suggest · urge

The doctor insisted that she stay in bed.

Adjectives

essential · good · better · important · necessary · vital · crucial

It is vital that every passenger have a ticket.

Rule 3

Negatives & alternatives

To make it negative, put not straight before the base verb. There is no do and no doesn't.

We insist that he not be told about the surprise.
The court ordered that she not leave the country.
British English also allows should + base verb: I suggest that he should go.
⚠ Watch out

Common mistakes

I recommend that she to take the earlier train.

Correct: that she take the earlier train.

It's better that the money goes to charity.

Correct: that the money go to charity.

They recommended that the rule was changed.

Correct: that the rule be changed.

We insist that he be not told.

Correct: that he not be told.

Now it's your turn

Let's
practice.

Say the answer out loud — then tap to check.

Practice 1
tap the blank to reveal

Fill the gap

It's better that the money (goes) to an organized charity.
It's important that you (are) comfortable with giving.
I suggest your friend (lives) on the streets for a week.
The doctor insisted that she (does not) take any more medication.
It is vital that the report (is) submitted before Friday.
Practice 2
tap a sentence to reveal the error

Spot the mistake

The committee recommended thatA the deadline is extendedB byC two weeks, butD the board refused.

Bthe deadline is extended → the deadline be extended

✓ subjunctive: base form after recommend that

It is vital thatA every member attendB the meeting, becauseC the decisions affectsD the whole department.

Dthe decisions affects → the decisions affect

✓ the decisions is plural → affect

The doctor insisted that she takesA a week off, butB she returnedC toD work the next day.

AThe doctor insisted that she takes → The doctor insisted that she take

✓ subjunctive: base form, with no -s

Practice 3
tap to reveal a model answer

Complete the sentence

He must arrive early. → It is essential that
She should stay another night. → The doctor insists that
Don't tell anyone. → We request that
The meeting should be postponed. → I suggest that
Speak & write

Your turn

Use I recommend that…, It is essential that… or We ask that…

Your school is reviewing its rules. What two changes do you recommend?
A friend is always late for everything. What do you insist on?
A charity has received a large donation. How should it be spent?
Write two lines of a formal notice for a library or a museum.
Recap

Remember this

The form
infinitive without to, every subject
Triggers
ask · demand · insist · recommend · suggest
Adjectives
It is essential / vital / important that…
Negative
not + base verb — never doesn't

No -s, no to, no tense — just the bare verb.

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