Explanation
Exercises
The Subjunctive & Formal Recommendations

Lesson focus

Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures

Advanced aim: Use the mandative subjunctive and its standard alternatives with awareness of dialect and register; do not treat every alternative as ungrammatical.

Suggest that + base

After suggest in formal mandative clauses, the base form is common, especially in AmE and international formal English. BrE also commonly uses should; indicative patterns occur in some contexts.

  • Example: The committee suggested that the deadline be extended by two weeks.
  • In another context: The ethics group suggested that the renewal date be extended by two weeks.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Insist that + base

Insist can take a mandative base form when it means demand. Standard alternatives include should in BrE; when insist means maintain that something is true, normal indicative tense patterns are used.

  • Example: The client insisted that every change be documented.
  • In another context: The publisher insisted that every change be documented.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Essential that + base

After expressions such as it is essential that, the mandative base form is formal and concise. BrE commonly also allows should; indicative forms occur in some varieties.

  • Example: It is essential that each participant arrive before registration closes.
  • In another context: Separate scenario: It is essential that each participant arrive before registration closes.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Recommend that + base

Recommend + that-clause may use the mandative base form. Do not treat should or all indicative alternatives as automatically wrong; choice varies by dialect and register.

  • Example: We recommend that the system remain offline until testing is complete.
  • In another context: We recommend that the reporting tool remain offline until testing is complete.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Demand that + base

Demand + that-clause commonly takes the mandative base form in formal English; should is a standard alternative in BrE.

  • Example: Residents demanded that the council publish the full report.
  • In another context: Alternative case study: Residents demanded that the council publish the full report.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Should alternative

British English often allows should + base verb instead of the mandative subjunctive.

  • Example: It is vital that the equipment should be checked before use.
  • In another context: Regional example: It is vital that the equipment should be checked before use.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Lest

Lest + base form is a formal structure meaning for fear that / to prevent the possibility that.

  • Example: The documents were encrypted lest sensitive data fall into the wrong hands.
  • In another context: The documents were encrypted lest sensitive records fall into the wrong hands.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

If need be

If need be is a fixed subjunctive expression meaning if necessary.

  • Example: We can extend the meeting into the evening if need be.
  • In another context: We can extend the hearing into the evening if need be.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Be that as it may

Be that as it may is a fixed formal expression meaning even if that is true.

  • Example: Be that as it may, we still need independent verification.
  • In another context: Alternative case study: Be that as it may, we still need independent verification.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Long live

Fixed optative expressions may use the base-form subjunctive.

  • Example: Long live the tradition of independent research.
  • In another context: Regional example: Long live the tradition of independent research.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

C1 takeaway

Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.

Exercises:
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Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures

Practice 1 · Controlled production

Complete each gap using the stated cue. Read the whole context; some items accept more than one form.

1
Use EXTEND in a formal base-form recommendation:
The residents suggested that the consultation by a fortnight.
2
Use DOCUMENT in a formal base-form demand:
The donor insisted that every expense .
3
Use ARRIVE in a formal base-form requirement:
It is essential that each delegate before the doors close.
4
Use REMAIN in the requested base-form recommendation:
We recommend that the archive closed during fumigation.
5
Use PUBLISH in a base-form demand:
The union demanded that management the inspection findings.
6
Use SHOULD and CHECK as a British mandative alternative:
It is vital that the alarm before each performance.
7
Use LEST and FALL:
The originals were locked away into private hands. Include THEY.
8
Rewrite with NEED: We can hire a second interpreter if necessary.
We can hire a second interpreter .
9
Rewrite using MAY: Even if that is true, the figures still require checking.
, the figures still require checking.
10
Express a formal wish for continued survival, using LIVE:
independent journalism!

Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures

Practice 2 · Contextual choice

Choose the option that best fits the stated meaning, viewpoint or register.

1
Select the formal base-form mandative:
The auditor recommended that each receipt .
2
Select the British should-mandative:
We proposed that the entrance .
3
The speaker asserts an existing fact, not a demand:
She insists that her account accurate.
4
Use the requested base-form pattern:
It is crucial that no visitor the specimens.
5
Use a negative base-form mandative:
They requested that the names .
6
Describe a feared possibility in formal prose:
The map was concealed lest it into enemy hands.
7
Choose the fixed expression meaning if necessary:
Additional seating can be installed .
8
Choose the fixed concession:
, the insurance exclusions still apply.
9
Choose the conventional public wish:
the memory of those who defended the library.
10
Report an actual conclusion, rather than a recommendation:
The evidence suggested that the seal already broken.

Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures

Practice 3 · C1 challenge

Choose the interpretation or analysis that best fits the example.

1
“They suggested that she leave.” Must the suggestion have been followed?
2
“They suggested that she should leave.” Is should an error?
3
“He insisted that he was right.” What makes was appropriate?
4
“It is essential that she arrives on time.” Must this be condemned across all varieties?
5
“They demanded that he not return.” Why is there no does?
6
“She recommended that he be appointed.” What does be contribute?
7
“Lest we forget.” What relation does lest introduce?
8
“If need be.” Is be freely replaceable with is in this fixed expression?
9
“Be that as it may.” Does this necessarily concede that the previous claim is true?
10
“Long live the republic!” What function does this serve?