■ The Subjunctive in English
The **Subjunctive** is a **verb mood** used to express situations that are not real, but rather
**wishes, recommendations, hypotheses, formal orders, or necessity**.
It does not describe facts, but something **imagined, desired, or required**.
---
■ 1. Structure
- The verb stays in the **base form** (no -s in the present, even with *he/she/it*).
- Do not use *to* in the subjunctive.
- The verb *be* is special: **be** (present) and **were** (past) for all subjects.
---
■ 2. Uses of the Subjunctive
a) After verbs of recommendation, order or suggestion
- Verbs: *suggest, recommend, demand, insist, ask, require, propose...*
- Structure: **verb + that + subject + base form**
■ Example:
- *The teacher suggested that he study harder.*
(The teacher suggested he study more.)
---
b) With fixed expressions
Some expressions always use the subjunctive:
- *It’s important that…*
- *It’s necessary that…*
- *It’s essential that…*
■ Example:
- *It’s important that she be here on time.*
(It is important that she is here on time.)
---
c) Wishes and unreal hypotheses (past subjunctive)
Mainly with the verb **to be → were** for all subjects.
- Structure: *If + subject + were…*
- Very common in songs and imagination phrases.
■ Example:
- *If I were rich, I would travel the world.*
- *I wish he were here.*
---
d) After "lest" (formal and rare)
- *Lest* = so that… not.
- *He wore a coat lest he catch a cold.*
---
■ 3. Difference between Indicative x Subjunctive
- **Indicative (fact):**
*She is here.* → She is here.
- **Subjunctive (necessity/desire):**
*I suggest that she be here.* → I suggest that she be here.
---
■ 4. Summary for Students ■■■
- **Base form of the verb** (no -s, even in *he/she/it*).
- Used in **wishes, recommendations, necessities, and unreal hypotheses**.
- Verb **be → were** in imaginary sentences (*If I were…*).
