SUBJUNTIVE

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

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

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

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