Syllabus topic 5: The Subjunctive in English — Present & Past
The Subjunctive in English — Present & Past. The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave.
The idea
After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Structure & examples
The panel recommended that she be appointed.
It is essential that every applicant provide identification.
Notice the pattern
In a mandative subjunctive, the base verb stays unchanged even with he or she. Be remains be for every subject, and a negative can be formed as not be or not attend. This formal pattern follows recommendations and requirements; British English also commonly uses should + base verb.
It is essential that he be informed.
They recommended that she apply again.
Important notes & common mistakes
In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: The Subjunctive in English — Present & Past
The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
They demanded that he leave immediately.
It is essential that she be informed.
They insisted that the report not be altered. (mandative negative)
If I were in your position, I would object.
The chair recommended that we should consult an expert. (British alternative)
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
It is vital that he ___ the hearing.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: attend
Completed sentence: It is vital that he attend the hearing. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
They requested that the records ___ retained.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: be
Completed sentence: They requested that the records be retained. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
She insisted that everyone ___ promptly.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: arrive
Completed sentence: She insisted that everyone arrive promptly. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
The board proposed that the rule ___ immediately.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: be revised
Completed sentence: The board proposed that the rule be revised immediately. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Question 1 of 50% complete
The panel recommended that she ___ appointed.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: attend
Completed sentence: It is vital that he attend the hearing. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
Completed sentence: They requested that the records be retained. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: arrive
Completed sentence: She insisted that everyone arrive promptly. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be revised
Completed sentence: The board proposed that the rule be revised immediately. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
Completed sentence: Use be in the subjunctive: It is essential that the door be kept closed. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: submit
Completed sentence: Use submit in the subjunctive: We recommend that she submit a new application. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: remain
Completed sentence: Use remain in the subjunctive: They requested that he remain available. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: disclose
Completed sentence: Use disclose in the subjunctive: It is important that each member disclose any conflict. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: not be
Completed sentence: Use not be in the subjunctive: The judge ordered that the name not be published. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It is essential that every applicant provide identification
After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject. In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: It is essential that he be informed
It is essential that he be informed. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject. In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They recommended that she apply again
They recommended that she apply again. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject. In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We request that everyone remain seated
We request that everyone remain seated. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject. In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: The board insisted that the vote be repeated
The board insisted that the vote be repeated. After recommend, insist or essential, formal English may use a base-form subjunctive regardless of subject. In this formal pattern the base form does not gain third-person -s.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: leave
Completed sentence: They demanded that he leave immediately. The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: be
Completed sentence: It is essential that she be informed. The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: not be
Completed sentence: They insisted that the report not be altered. (mandative negative) The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: were
Completed sentence: If I were in your position, I would object. The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: should
Completed sentence: The chair recommended that we should consult an expert. (British alternative) The mandative present subjunctive uses the base form after demands or recommendations: that she be, that he leave. Negatives use not + base form without do. Irrealis were expresses hypothetical distance, not necessarily past time. Should + infinitive is also possible in many British mandative clauses.
Keep learning
Choose your next small step
Continue this topic or practice every English skill at the same level.
