The English subjunctive

• Does English have a subjunctive?
• The mandative subjunctive
• Alternatives to the subjunctive
  • With should
  • With indicative
• Were: the past subjunctive
• Fixed expressions

Does English have a subjunctive?

Learners are often surprised to find that English does have a subjunctive. However, it is much simpler and much less common than the subjunctive in many other languages. In languages like Spanish or French, the subjunctive has multiple tenses and is used constantly. In English, it is limited to a few specific situations, and in most cases you can avoid it entirely.

The mandative subjunctive

After verbs like suggest, recommend, demand, request, insist, require, propose, and ask (that), formal English uses the base form of the verb (the infinitive without to) for all persons. This means: no -s in the third person singular, and be stays as be.

I suggest that he leave immediately.

She recommended that we be on time.

They demanded that she resign.

The doctor insisted that he take the medicine.

The company requires that every employee wear a uniform.

The same happens after expressions like it is important that, it is essential that, it is necessary that:

It is important that she be present.

It is essential that everyone understand the rules.

For negatives, we place not before the verb:

I suggest that he not leave yet.

It is important that she not be late.

Alternatives to the subjunctive

In practice, the subjunctive is mainly used in formal writing and in American English. In everyday spoken English, and especially in British English, there are two common alternatives:

With should

I suggest that he should leave immediately.

It is important that she should be present.

This is the traditional British alternative to the subjunctive. It is perfectly correct and very common in the UK.

With indicative

I suggest that he leaves immediately.

It is important that she is present.

This is common in spoken English. Many native speakers use the indicative naturally without thinking about the subjunctive at all.

In summary: all three forms are used and understood. The subjunctive (he leave, she be) is the most formal and is standard in formal writing. The should form (he should leave) is the traditional British alternative. The indicative (he leaves, she is) is common in spoken English.

Were: the past subjunctive

In formal English, were is used for all persons, including I, he, she, it, in hypothetical or unreal situations, typically with if and wish:

If I were you, I would accept the offer.

I wish she were here.

In spoken English, was is also very common and widely accepted: If I was you... I wish she was here...

Fixed expressions

Some common English expressions use the subjunctive in a fossilized form. Native speakers use them without thinking of them as subjunctive:

God bless you - a blessing; also said when someone sneezes

Long live the king! - a wish for a ruler's long life

Be that as it may - even if that is true; nevertheless

Come what may - whatever happens

If need be - if it is necessary

So be it - I accept it; let it be that way