Joy English
Joy English

C2 Grammar

C2Subjunctive25 min

The mandative subjunctive and formulaic subjunctives

Use the bare-form subjunctive after verbs and adjectives of demand, and recognise fixed phrases such as come what may.

The subjunctive is rare in everyday English, but it is common in formal writing, regulations, reports and fixed expressions. Control of it is a clear sign of proficiency. The most important type is the mandative subjunctive, used in a that-clause after words that express a demand, a recommendation or importance. The verb is in its base form, with no -s for third person and no change of tense.

TriggerPatternExample
Verbs: demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, require, suggest, urgeverb + that + subject + base formThe panel recommended that the report be withdrawn.
Adjectives: essential, vital, imperative, desirable, crucialit is + adjective + that + subject + base formIt is imperative that she attend the hearing.
Nouns: demand, requirement, insistence, proposalnoun + that + subject + base formTheir insistence that he resign surprised no one.
Negativethat + subject + not + base formWe asked that the data not be shared.

British English often replaces the subjunctive with should (that the report should be withdrawn), and in informal use with an ordinary indicative verb. The bare form is the most formal choice and is standard in American usage. Notice that a negative goes before the verb and that no auxiliary do is used.

Were and fixed phrases

The were-subjunctive survives in unreal comparisons and conditions: if I were you, as though she were still here. Many fossilised subjunctives are best learnt as chunks: come what may, be that as it may, far be it from me, suffice it to say, so be it, if need be and as it were.

  • The regulations require that every applicant be over eighteen.
  • It is essential that no child leave the site unsupervised.
  • Suffice it to say that the results were disappointing.
  • Be that as it may, the deadline stands.
  • If need be, we can extend the trial by a month.

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the correct form

Choose the option that is correct in formal, careful writing, using the mandative subjunctive wherever it is called for.

  1. The board has recommended that the director _____ his post until the audit is complete.

  2. It is vital that every sample _____ labelled before it leaves the laboratory.

  3. The lawyer requested that his client _____ questioned without a representative present.

  4. Ayesha insisted that the figures _____ correct, though nobody believed her.

  5. Costs may rise, but we shall finish the bridge, _____ what may.

  6. The regulations require that each applicant _____ over eighteen.

  7. She talks about the city as though she _____ a native, but she arrived last year.

  8. It is essential that no child _____ unsupervised near the water.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Complete the sentence

Type the missing word or words. Where a verb is given in brackets, use the form that is correct in formal writing.

  1. The union demanded that the manager (apologise) in public.

  2. It is imperative that she told of the decision yet. (negative)

  3. If I (be) you, I would ask for a second opinion.

  4. Suffice it say that the experiment did not go as planned.

  5. The doctor's recommendation was that he (take) a month off work.

  6. Far be it me to criticise, but the report contains several errors.

  7. She spoke as if she (be) the only person in the room who understood.

  8. We will carry out the repairs, if need , over the weekend.

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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