The Subjunctive in English: Forms, Uses and Examples
The subjunctive is a small, formal corner of English grammar: the base verb after words like insist and essential (We insist that he be told), and were in unreal sentences (If I were you). Here is when it is needed and when it is optional.
By LearnLingo Team · Updated
Form
| Subject | Subjunctive (base form) | British alternative with should | Ordinary present (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | They insist that I be there. | They insist that I should be there. | I am there. |
| You | We recommend that you arrive early. | We recommend that you should arrive early. | You arrive early. |
| He, she, it | It's vital that she see a doctor. | It's vital that she should see a doctor. | She sees a doctor. |
| We | He asked that we not be late. | He asked that we should not be late. | We are not late. |
| They | The law requires that they be paid. | The law requires that they should be paid. | They are paid. |
The subjunctive has no -s for he, she and it, uses be for all persons, and makes negatives with not + base verb (that he not go), without do. It does not change after a past reporting verb: She insisted that he leave.
| Type | Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verbs | suggest, recommend, insist, demand, propose, request, require, ask, urge, advise, order | The committee proposed that the rule be changed. |
| Adjectives | essential, vital, crucial, important, necessary, imperative, desirable, advisable | It is essential that every form be signed. |
| Nouns | suggestion, recommendation, demand, insistence, requirement, proposal, request | Her suggestion that we work from home was accepted. |
After these words, the that-clause describes what someone wants to happen, not a fact.
| Structure | Example | Informal alternative |
|---|---|---|
| If + subject + were | If I were you, I'd take the job. | If I was you (informal; If I were you is the fixed phrase) |
| wish + were | I wish she were here. | I wish she was here. |
| as if, as though + were | He talks as if he were the boss. | as if he was the boss |
| if only + were | If only it were that simple. | If only it was that simple. |
| Were + subject (inversion) | Were it not for her help, we would fail. | no informal alternative |
Was is common in everyday speech and is not a mistake in informal English. Were is preferred in writing, formal speech and exams, and is required in inverted conditionals.
What the subjunctive is
Many languages have a full set of subjunctive verb forms. English has only a little left. In modern English, the subjunctive appears in two forms: the base form of the verb in certain that-clauses (the mandative subjunctive), and were in unreal situations (the were-subjunctive).
The subjunctive is often invisible. In We recommend that you arrive early, arrive looks the same as the ordinary present. You only notice it with he, she and it (that she arrive, not arrives), with be (that they be, not are), with negatives (that he not go) and after past verbs (She insisted that he leave, not left).
It is formal, but not rare. You will meet it in legal texts, official rules, business writing, academic English and American English generally.
The manager insisted that every employee attend the training.
It is important that he be informed immediately.
If I were rich, I would buy a house by the sea.
After verbs of demand and advice
Use the subjunctive after verbs that express what someone wants to happen: suggest, recommend, insist, demand, propose, request, require, ask, urge. The pattern is verb + that + subject + base verb. That is often left out in speech, especially after suggest and recommend.
Be careful with insist and suggest: they have two meanings. When insist means demand, use the subjunctive: He insisted that she stay. When it means say firmly that something is true, use normal tenses: He insisted that he was innocent. In the same way, The results suggest that the drug works reports a fact, so no subjunctive is needed.
Note also that suggest never takes an object + to-infinitive (and recommend rarely does in modern English): say I suggest that you go or I suggest going, not I suggest you to go. For more patterns like this, see reporting verbs.
The doctor recommended that he rest for a week.
They demanded that the company pay them compensation.
I suggest you call her before you go.
That is often left out in speech.
She insisted that he was wrong.
Here insist means claim, so no subjunctive.
We request that passengers not leave their bags unattended.
After adjectives and nouns of importance
The same pattern follows It is + adjective + that with adjectives that show necessity or importance: essential, vital, crucial, important, necessary, imperative, advisable. It also follows nouns made from the verbs above: the suggestion that, the requirement that, the recommendation that.
The passive subjunctive is common in formal rules and instructions: be + past participle for every subject. It is essential that the form be signed. The board recommends that the proposal be approved.
For a natural, less formal option in many sentences, use for + object + to-infinitive: It's essential for everyone to arrive on time.
It's crucial that she understand the risks before she signs.
It is imperative that the patient not eat before the operation.
The requirement that all staff wear ID badges was introduced last year.
It is recommended that the software be updated regularly.
British and American English
American English uses the subjunctive more often than British English, in both formal and everyday contexts: I suggest he take a taxi sounds normal to most American speakers.
British English has three options. The subjunctive is used in formal writing. Should + base verb is a common alternative: I suggest that he should take a taxi. And in informal British speech, many people use an ordinary verb form: I suggest that he takes a taxi. All three are accepted in British English, but in exams the subjunctive or should is the safest choice. Read more in British vs American English.
It's important that he should know the truth.
Typical British English.
It's important that he know the truth.
Typical American English, also formal British English.
I suggest she takes the earlier train.
Informal British English.
Were for unreal situations
The were-subjunctive uses were for all persons, including I, he, she and it, to describe something unreal or imagined. It appears in second conditionals, after wish and if only, after as if and as though, and in formal inversion: Were I in your position.
In informal English, was is very common and is not a mistake: I wish it was Friday. But If I were you is a fixed phrase for advice, and Were + subject at the start of a sentence always needs were. For the full picture of past forms with present meaning, see the unreal past, wish and if only and inversion.
If I were you, I'd apologise.
I wish my office were closer to home.
She looked at me as if I were crazy.
Were it not for the rain, we would have a picnic.
Fixed expressions
Some old subjunctive forms survive as fixed phrases. You cannot change their grammar, but they are useful to recognise and to use in the right context.
Long live the King. God save the King (or Queen). God bless you. Heaven forbid. So be it. Be that as it may (formal: even if that is true). Come what may (whatever happens). Suffice it to say (it is enough to say). If need be (if necessary). As it were (in a way, so to speak).
Be that as it may, we still need to finish by Friday.
We'll work at the weekend if need be.
Suffice it to say, the meeting did not go well.
Come what may, I'll support you.
In real life
You will see the mandative subjunctive in rules, contracts, reports and formal emails: We kindly request that payment be made within 30 days. In everyday speech, people often avoid it with simpler structures: You should rest. It's important to rest. I'd suggest resting.
In conversation you will hear the were-subjunctive mostly in If I were you, I wish I were..., and a few fixed phrases like if need be. Using the subjunctive correctly in an essay or formal email is a clear sign of advanced English. For formal email phrases, see business email phrases.
We kindly ask that all guests be seated by 7 p.m.
My advice? If I were you, I'd sleep on it.
Common mistakes
The doctor recommended that she rests.
The doctor recommended that she rest.
After recommend, suggest, insist and similar verbs, formal and American English use the base verb with no -s. In informal British English rests is heard, but the subjunctive or should rest is safer.
It is essential that he is present.
It is essential that he be present.
After essential, vital and similar adjectives, the subjunctive form of be is be for every subject. British English can also use should be.
I suggest you to apply early.
I suggest that you apply early.
Suggest never takes an object + to-infinitive. Use suggest (that) + subject + base verb, or suggest + -ing.
We asked that he doesn't smoke inside.
We asked that he not smoke inside.
The negative subjunctive is not + base verb, without do.
She insisted that he went home.
She insisted that he go home.
When insist means demand, the verb stays in the base form even after a past verb. Went would mean she said he had gone.
Practice quiz
10 questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
1. The teacher suggested that he ___ more slowly.
2. It is vital that everyone ___ on time.
3. Choose the correct sentence.
4. The company requires that all visitors ___ in at reception.
5. Which sentence does NOT need the subjunctive?
6. Which is the typical British alternative to It's important that she know?
7. If I ___ you, I'd book the tickets now.
8. The judge ordered that the man ___ released.
9. What does Be that as it may mean?
10. We request that guests ___ their phones during the show.
0 of 10 answered
Show all answers
- read
- be
- I recommend that you see a doctor.
- sign
- He insisted that he had never met her.
- It's important that she should know.
- were
- be
- Even if that is true
- not use
See what the C1 English course covers, or test your level first.
People also ask
Is the subjunctive still used in English?+
Yes. The base-verb subjunctive is common in formal writing everywhere and in everyday American English. The were-subjunctive lives on in If I were you, wish and as if, although was is common in informal speech.
Is If I was you wrong?+
It is common in informal speech, especially in British English, and many speakers accept it. In writing, exams and formal speech, use If I were you, which is the standard form.
How do I know when to use the subjunctive?+
Look for words that express a demand, a recommendation or importance, followed by that: insist, suggest, recommend, require, essential, vital. If the that-clause describes what someone wants to happen rather than a fact, use the base verb.
What is the difference between the subjunctive and should?+
They mean the same thing after words like suggest and essential. The subjunctive (that he go) is standard in American and formal English; should + verb (that he should go) is a common British alternative.
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