THE SUBJUNCTIVE
This topic in English learning, in my personal
opinion is one of the most difficult to understand and use. Most of the times
learners or teachers get confused easily at the moment that is taught this
crucial grammar topic.
I decided to make a compilation of some aspects
that could be useful when someone is learning or teching.
Subjunctive is rather insignificant in modern
English. Most likely you might come across this form in American English, and
most probably in formal texts. (English Grammar Online, s.f.)
The subjunctive form of a verb is used in noun
clauses following verbs or adjectives of urgency, obligation, or advisability.
FORM
Use the simple form of the verb. The simple
form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the verb
"to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in
certain forms and tenses. (SASLOW & ASCHER, 2006)
In most
cases, subjunctive and indicative forms of a verb are the same. So often you
would not notice whether a verb is used in subjunctive or indicative mood. The
only indicator for subjunctive is that no ‘s’ is added in 3rd person
singular and that the erb ‘be’ remains ‘be’ for all forms
in present tense and becomes ‘were’ for all forms in past tense.
Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive
Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive
the subjunctive is used after the following verbs
to advise
to ask
to command
to desire
to insist
to propose
to recommend
to suggest
to urge
to ask
to command
to desire
to insist
to propose
to recommend
to suggest
to urge
Examples:
Dr. Smith asked
that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.
Donna requested Frank come to
the party.
The teacher insists that her
students be on time.
Expressions Followed by the subjunctive
The subjunctive is used in the following expressions
It is best
It is crucial
It is desirable
It is essential
It is imperative
It is important
it is recommended
It is urgent
It is vital
It is a good idea
It is a bad idea
Expressions Followed by the subjunctive
The subjunctive is used in the following expressions
It is best
It is crucial
It is desirable
It is essential
It is imperative
It is important
it is recommended
It is urgent
It is vital
It is a good idea
It is a bad idea
Examples:
It is crucial that you be there
before Tom arrives.
It is important she attend the
meeting.
It is recommended that he take a
gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of
Subjunctive
The Subjunctive can be used in negative,
continuous and passive forms.
Negative Examples:
The boss insisted that Sam not be at
the meeting.
The company asked that employees not
accept personal phone calls during business hours.
I suggest that you not take the job
without renegotiating the salary.
Passive Examples:
Jake recommended that Susan be
hired immediately.
Christine demanded that I be
allowed to take part in the negotiations.
We suggested that you be admitted to
the organization.
Continuous Examples:
It is important that you be
standing there when he gets off the plane.
It is crucial that a car be waiting for
the boss when the meeting is over.
I propose that we all be waiting in
Tim's apartment when he gets home.
Should as Subjunctive
After many of the above expressions, the word
"should" is sometimes used to express the idea of subjunctiveness.
This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after
the verbs "suggest," "recommend" and "insist."
Examples:
The doctor recommended that she should
see a specialist about the problem.
Professor William suggested that
Wilma should study harder for the final exam. (englishpage.com,
2017)
REFERENCES
English
Grammar Online. (s.f.). Obtenido de
ego4u.com: https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/subjunctive
englishpage.com. (2017). Obtenido de minitutorials:
https://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctive.html
SASLOW, J., &
ASCHER, A. &. (2006). SUMMIT: ENGLISH FOR TODAY'S WORLD 2 (Vol.
STUDENT'S BOOK). NEW YORK: PEARSON LONGMAN. Recuperado el 10 de MAY de 2017