Certain verbs in English are followed by the subjunctive mood when they express a demand, recommendation, suggestion, desire, or an urgent request. This grammatical mood is used for non-factual or hypothetical situations, and it signals that the action is not necessarily occurring but is rather wished for, commanded, or proposed.
The subjunctive mood emphasizes the speaker's attitude towards the action, often indicating a sense of urgency, importance, or a wish. It's most commonly seen in formal English.
Common Verbs and Their Subjunctive Use
When these verbs introduce a dependent clause beginning with "that," the verb within that "that" clause often takes the subjunctive form. This form is typically the base form of the verb (e.g., be, go, study), regardless of the subject's person or number.
Here is a list of verbs that frequently precede a verb in the subjunctive mood:
| Category | Verbs |
|---|---|
| Suggestion | advise, propose, recommend, suggest, urge |
| Demand | demand, insist, order, require |
| Request | ask, request |
| Desire/Wish | desire, prefer, wish |
| Other | intend, regret |
Examples of Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive:
- Demand: "The manager demanded that he be on time for every meeting." (Not "is on time")
- Suggest: "I suggest that she study for the exam more diligently." (Not "studies")
- Insist: "They insisted that the payment be made immediately." (Not "is made")
- Recommend: "We recommend that the committee consider all options." (Not "considers")
- Request: "She requested that all documents be submitted by Friday." (Not "are submitted")
- Require: "The rules require that every participant wear protective gear." (Not "wears")
- Propose: "He proposed that we start the project next month." (Not "starts")
- Wish: "I wish that he were here." (Note: For the verb "to be" in hypothetical situations, the past subjunctive "were" is often used, regardless of the subject.)
- Advise: "The lawyer advised that her client remain silent." (Not "remains")
- Desire: "It is her desire that the truth come out." (Not "comes")
Key Characteristics of the Subjunctive Mood
- Base Form: For most verbs in the present subjunctive, the verb maintains its base form (the infinitive without "to"), even for third-person singular subjects (e.g., he be, she go, it seem).
- "Be" Verb: The verb "to be" always uses "be" in the present subjunctive, and "were" in the past subjunctive (e.g., If I were you).
- Absence of "s": Unlike the simple present tense, there is no "-s" ending for third-person singular subjects (e.g., I suggest he go, not he goes).
Understanding these verbs and their specific use with the subjunctive mood enhances precision and formality in English communication.
