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.
Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures
The steering committee _____ by two weeks.
The local authority _____.
Follow-up case: It is _____ before registration closes.
Alternative case study: We _____ offline until testing is complete.
Regional example: Residents _____ the full report.
Separate scenario: It is _____ before use.
Follow-up case: The documents were encrypted _____ into the wrong hands.
We can extend the briefing into the evening _____.
Regional example: _____, we still need independent verification.
Separate scenario: _____ the tradition of independent research.
Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures
The review panel _____ by two weeks.
The investor _____.
Alternative case study: It is _____ before registration closes.
Regional example: We _____ offline until testing is complete.
Separate scenario: Residents _____ the full report.
Follow-up case: It is _____ before use.
Alternative case study: The documents were encrypted _____ into the wrong hands.
We can extend the review meeting into the evening _____.
Separate scenario: _____, we still need independent verification.
Follow-up case: _____ the tradition of independent research.
Mandative subjunctive, should alternatives, formal fixed expressions and recommendation/requirement structures
The advisory board suggested that the deadline be extended by two weeks.
The partner organisation insisted that every change be documented.
Regional example: It is essential that each participant arrive before registration closes.
Separate scenario: We recommend that the system remain offline until testing is complete.
Follow-up case: Residents demanded that the council publish the full report.
Alternative case study: It is vital that the equipment should be checked before use.
Regional example: The documents were encrypted lest sensitive data fall into the wrong hands.
We can extend the strategy session into the evening if need be.
Follow-up case: Be that as it may, we still need independent verification.
Alternative case study: Long live the tradition of independent research.