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The Subjunctive
The subjunctive form is exactly the same as the infinitive
withoutthe 'to' before the verb.
We often use it in 'that' clauses, after certain verbs:
to advise (that)
to ask (that)
to command (that)
to demand (that)
to desire (that)
to insist (that)
to propose (that)
to recommend (that)
to request (that)
to suggest (that)
to urge (that)
- Jane recommended that he applyfor a new job before the end of
the year.
- Alex insisted that Harry joinher at the company Christmas
party.
- The bank manager asked that she bringin an ID card to validate
her account.
We use the subjunctive when we talk about something that is
important ornecessary.
- Next year it will be essential that all members of the sales
teamgivetheir opinion at the annual meeting.
Please note how it can be used in different tenses. It can be
used to talk about events in thepast, present or future:
- The manager suggested the receptionistgoon another training
course before being allowed to speak English with visitors.
- Imagine that we wereon holiday right now!
- If I were to owna dictionary, I would know how to spell!
Or in the negative:
- Safety regulations require that visitors not enterthe factory
without the appropriate head gear.
The subjunctive tends to be rather formal and an alternative is
usually possible.
Subjunctive It is essential that every memberpaya fee before
using the golf course.
Should + infinitive It is essential that every member should
paya fee before using the golf course.
Present simple It is essential that every memberpaysa fee before
using the golf course.
for + subject + to + infinitive It is essentialfor every
memberto paya fee before using the golf course.
There are somefixed expressionswhich use subjunctive forms:
It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
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It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)
- It is not a good idea that Jim be herewhen Catherine
arrives.
- It was essential that she attendthe meeting and she didn't
show up!
- It is recommended that he drinka glass of water with his
tablets.
Continuous and passiveforms
The Subjunctive can be used with continuousandpassiveforms.
-It is essential that you both be waitingfor me at the train
station.
-It is an excellent idea that a limo be waitingfor the VIPs at
the bottom of the aircraft steps.
- Oliver requested that we be givenpermission to visit the
production line.
- I suggested that you be takeninto consideration for the
position.
The 'Unreal' Past
After certain expressions e.g. if only, it's time, what if,
assuming, say, suppose/supposing, would rather/sooner and I wish we
use past
tenses (active and passive) to describe things in the present,
past or future which are imagined. We call this the 'unreal'
past.
We can use the past simple or the past continuous after these
expressions to talk about the imaginary present andfuture:
W o u l d R a t h e r + P a s t T e n s e W o u l d R a t h e r
+ P a s t Te n s e
To ta lk about an ac tion whe n we w ant some one to do some th
ing:
- I wou ld ra the r he c a m e c a m e this afte rnoon . I 'm bu
sy this mo rning.
W o u l d R a t h e r + P a s t P e r f e c t W o u l d R a t h
e r + P a s t P e r f e c t
To ta lk about pa st act ion:
- He w ould ra ther I h a d n ' t p h o n e d h a d n ' t p h o
n e d h im so la te .
W o u l d R a t h e r + P a s t T e n s e W o u l d R a t h e r
+ P a s t Te n s e
The Past tense is used he re , but i ts me aning is p rese nt o
r fu ture :
- I 'm go ing to make a choco la te cake.
- I would ra ther you d i d n ' t m a k e d i d n ' t m a k e i
t!
W o u l d R a t h e r + T h a n W o u l d R a t h e r + T h a
n
To make a cho ice :
- Would you ra ther go shopp ing or go fo r some th ing to ea
t?
- I would ra ther look in the shops t h a n t h a n ea t a b ig
me a l .
I f O n l y I f O n l y
To expre ss regrets about the past o r the p re sent that we wo
uld like to change :
- I f o n l y I f o n l y I hadn' t sa id i t !
To ta lk about the past:
- I f o n l y I f o n l y I had studied sc ien ce at univer sity
and not phi losophy!
