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The subjunctive is a set of forms of a verb that refers to actions which are possibilities rather than facts. It is the form of a verb used for expressing doubts and wishes and hopes etc.
It is used in rather formal, impersonal English. Also considered optional, stylistically marked variant of other constructions.
There are two forms of the subjunctive, traditionally called the present and past subjunctive, although the use of these forms relates more to mood than to tense.
Terms for the two major categories of the present subjunctive are the mandative and the formulaic subjunctive. These are realized by the base form of the verb. Consequently, where the clause has a plural subject, there is normally no difference between the indicative and subjunctive forms except with “be” where the subjunctive form “be” is distinct from the indicative forms “am/is/are”, the subjunctive is distinctive only in the third person singular.
I insist that we reconsider the Council’s decision(I or s)
I insist that the Council reconsider its decision (s)
I insist that the Council’s decision be reconsidered (s)
This(the mandative subjunctive), the most common use of the subjunctive occurs in subordinate that-clauses and consist of the base form of the verb only. Thus there is a lack of regular concord of the ind mood between the subject and the finite verb, and there is no backshifting of tense, I e the present and the past variants are formally indistinguishable.
The committee propose/proposed that Mr Day be elected
I demand/ demanded that the committee reconsider its decision.
His sole requirement is/ was that the system work.
The mandative subjunctive is productive in that it can be used with any verb in a that clause for expression of demand, recommendation, proposal, resolution,intention, etc. This expression takes the form of a verb, adjective or a noun.
They recommend
It’s appropriate
We were faced with the demand that this tax be abolished.
The mandative subjunctive is more characteristic of AmE than of BrE, where it is formal and rather legalistic in style. There are indications, however, that it is reestablishing itself in BrE, probably as a result of AmE influence. In BrE putative should and the indicative are used more often.
The employees have demanded that the manager resign)esp AmE)
Resigns(esp BrE)
Should resign(esp Br E)
The formulaic subjunctive is used in certain set expressions chiefly in independent clauses
The present subjunctive has exactly the same form as the bare infinitive.
The present subjunctive is used in certain exclamations, to express a wish, or a hope, very often involving supernatural powers
God bless you!
Heaven help us 1
Come what may!
God save the queen.
Curse this fog.
Suffice it to say that we won
Heaven forbid!
Be it noted that this offer was made in good faith.
Be that as it may we have nothing to lose
If need be, we can always bring another car.
Far be it from me.
So be it.
Be that as it may
It is sometimes used in poetry, either to express a wish or in clauses of condition or concession.
“If this be error and upon me proved” Shakespeare
“Though the heart be still as loving” Byron
Other uses of present subjunctive
Other contexts in which the pr s can be used in subordinate clauses
- clauses of condition and concession
Even if that be the official view, it cannot be accepted.
-clauses of condition or negative purpose introduced by lest or by for fear that
The president must reject this proposal lest it cause strife and violence.
Lest – very formal in BrE
Certain verbs are followed by should-infinitive construction
We can sometimes report advice, orders, requests, suggestions about things that need to be done or are desirable using a that-clause with should+ bare infinitive
I demand that you should bring it.
In formal contexts, particularly in written English we can often leave out should and use only the bare form of the verb.
This infinitive left alone becomes a subjunctive.
I demand you bring it.
This form is the present subjunctive and is used when we talk about bringing about the situation expressed in that-clause. Note that although this form is called present subjunctive it does not refer to present time.
To make a negative form we use not before the verb.
He advised that the company not raise prices.
The list of verbs: advise, ask, command, demand, insist, order, propose, suggest, recommend, require, urge, warn and some others.
This pattern is used after reporting clauses with nouns related to these verbs:
The police issued an order that all weapons be handed in immediately.
We can use this pattern after some adjectives e.g. advisable, essential, important, necessary, vital and some others.
It is inappropriate that he receive the award again.
We also use the present subjunctive after if, whether in formal English.
Always immediately report such behaviour to the nearest person in authority, whether it be a school teacher or a policeman or anyone else.
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