The subjunctive
 Definition.
The subjunctive mood is that form or use of the verb which expresses
action or being, not as a fact, but as merely conceived in the mind.
 Meaning of the word.
Subjunctive means subjoined, or joined as dependent or subordinate to
something else.
The subjunctive is used in formal English when we wish to express the
importance of something. It usually follows verbs like recommend, insist or
suggest, and other words that express these ideas, such as vital, important or
essential.
The verbs
 These are verbs typically followed by clauses that take the subjunctive:
 ask, demand, determine, insist, order, pray, prefer, recommend,
regret, request, require, suggest, and wish.
Examples:
-
The manager demanded that we be here at 8:00 a.m.
The boss insisted that she do the job herself.
The major ordered that all troops move to the border.
 Structure of the Subjunctive
The structure of the subjunctive is extremely simple. For all verbs
except the past tense of be, the subjunctive is the same as the bare
infinitive (infinitive without "to")
be (past)
I were
you were
he, she, it were
we were
you were
they were
be (present)
I be
you be
he, she, it be
we be
you be
they be
all other verbs (past & present)
I work
you work
he, she, it work
we work
you work
they work
 The subjunctive does not change according to person (I, you, he etc).
The structure
 1. Tense isn’t reflected in the subordinate clause of the subjunctive
mood except when indicating a hypothetical situation as in wish and
if clause type two .
 Examples:
 1- He demands that we help the poor.
 2- He demanded that we help the poor.
 2- I wish he were here.
 3- If I were you, I would study harder.
Agreement
 2. Agreement that is seen via the usage of the morphological
realisations isn’t used. It isn’t reflected for the person agreement.
 Example:
-
He insists that we go now.
He insisted that he go now.
Passive and progressive
Passive
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He insisted that we be told the truth.
It is important that we be shown the paper.
-
She demanded that he be told the truth.
Progressive
-
He insists that we be moving the car soon.
It is vital that this machine be operating before noon.
It is crucial that you be leaving before they come.
The subjunctive is typically used after four structures:
 The verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend,
request, suggest + that .
-
I recommend that he see a doctor.
She insisted that dinner be served immediately.
 The expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital +
that .
-
It is necessary that you not miss the meeting.
It is desirable that she exercise every day.
 After wish construction.
-
I wish I were in Mekka.
Layla wishes that she studied harder.
 Type two of If clause.
-
If I were in Egypt, I would visit the pyramids.
If Ali ran faster, he would win the race.
(The verb follows if and expresses a non-factual condition.)
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Moreover,
It is most often found in clauses following a verb that expresses a doubt, a wish,
regret, request, demand, or proposal.
Example :
-
His requirement is that everyone be computer literate.
(Subordinate clause follows main clause with a demand.)
Use of the Subjunctive
We use subjunctives 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
-
She demands that Ahmad finish his work before he left.
The headmaster insists that all teachers attend the graduation.
hopes will happen
-
It is important that Salma support the project.
It is essential that the government not pass the new law.
imagines happening
-
If my mother were here, we wouldn’t find it difficult to prepare lunch.
If Samer came to the meeting earlier, we wouldn’t be stuck in this
traffic jam!
Examples:
1. The President requests that you be present at the meeting.
2. It is vital that you be present at the meeting.
3. If you were at the meeting, the president would be happy.
4. The manager insists that the parking lot be locked at night.
5. The board of directors recommended that he join the company.
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6. It is essential that we vote as soon as possible.
Notice
 Notice that in these structures the subjunctive is always the same. It does
not matter whether the sentence is past or present. Look at these
examples:
 Present:
-
The President requests that they stop the occupation.
 Past:
-
The President requested that they stop the occupation.
 Present:
-
It is essential that she be present.
 Past:
-
It was essential that she be present.
Usage in Language
 The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American English
than in British English, where should + infinitive is often used:
-
The manager insists that the parking lot should be locked at night.
It was essential that we should vote as soon as possible.
 We usually use the subjunctive were instead of "was" after if (and other
words with similar meaning).
Look at these sentences:
-
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If I were you, I would buy it.
Suppose Sami were here. What would you say?
Was and Were
 we often use the subjunctive form were instead of "was" after:
 if
-
If it weren’t raining, we wouldn’t stay home doing nothing.
If the teacher weren’t absent, we would go to the city library.
 as if
-
He acts as if he were the president.
She talks to us as if she were our boss!
 wish
-
I wish I weren’t the school principal in these terrible circumstances.
Layla wishes that this car were hers.
Fixed Expressions
 Long live the King!
 God bless Jordan!
 God forbid!
 Be that as it may, he still wants to see her.
 Come what may, I will never forget you.
 We are all citizens of the world, as it were.
Examples:
1. It's important that she remember to take her medicine twice a day.
2. I suggest that Frank read the directions carefully before assembling the
bicycle.
3. Mrs. Finkelstein demanded that the heater repair immediately.
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4. It's vital that the United States focus on improving its public education
system.
5. The monk insisted that the tourists enter the temple until they
removed their shoes.
had
6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that she
immediately apologize for what she just said.
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Exercise:
Put the verb in parentheses in the correct form in the space provided:
1. The manager demanded that Sami ……………………. Late. (stay)
2. Ahmad suggested that I ………………… a vacation soon. ( take)
3. If Layla ……………….. here, we would start immediately. (be)
4. Pilots have the chance to try this new airplane. I wish I …………….. a pilot. (be)
5. It is important that Ali …………….. his job thoroughly. (do)
6. It is essential that you ………………… a doctor. (see)
7. It is crucial that she ………………….. to the hospital. ( be, take)
8. It is advisable that Salma ……………… daily. ( brush)
9. It is important that you ………………….. when the manager arrives. ( be, work)
10. I recommend that the patient ……………………………….. the results.
(not,be,show)
11. I insisted that my grandmother ……………….. lunch with me. ( have)
12. If Jane ………………… harder, she would be happy now. (study)
13. Mohammad wishes he ……………. at home. (be)
14. The government urged that everybody ………………. before 10:00 p.m. ( vote)
15. She acts as if she …………………. the store. (own)
Answers:
1. stay 2. Take 3. Were 4. Were 5. Do 6. See 7. Be taken 8. Brush 9. Be
working 10. Not be shown 11. Have 12 studied 13. Were 14. Vote 15. owned
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