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IS THERE AN ENGLISH
SUBJUNCTIVE? |
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First of all, let us say that the subjunctive usually occurs... |
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AFTER THESE EXPRESSIONS... |
AFTER THESE VERBS... |
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It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is necessary (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that) |
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) |
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WHAT HAPPENS IN
AMERICAN ENGLISH? |
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In American English, it makes more sense to say
that English has subjunctive
clauses instead of subjunctive verb forms. In fact, the
formal version of the American subjunctive simply uses the
base form of the verb (infinitive
without to). |
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The subjunctive is only noticeable in certain
forms and tenses. In the examples below, the subjunctive
is not noticeable when the personal pronoun YOU is used, but
it is really noticeable when the personal pronouns HE or SHE are
used. Pay attention to these examples: |
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USING "YOU"
Normal use:
You try to study often.
Subjunctive use:
It is important that you try to study often. |
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USING "HE/SHE"
Normal use:
He/She tries to study often. he-form of "try"
Subjunctive use:
It is important that he/she try to study often. |
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OTRAS VARIANTES DEL SUBJUNTIVO
EN FORMATO NEGATIVO [
NOT ]
They insisted that he/she not be
at the meeting.
They asked me not accept personal phone calls.
EN FORMATO PASIVO [ "BE" ]
I insisted that something be done
about the problem.
The president proposed that the plans be changed.
EN FORMATO CONTINUO [ ING
]
I suggested going for a walk.
It is important that you be waiting when he arrives. |
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WHAT HAPPENS IN
BRITISH ENGLISH? |
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In British English, the word should is
sometimes used to express the subjunctive. This form is most
common after the verbs suggest, recommend and
insist. Check these examples: |
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They
recommended that she should see a specialist about the
problem.
OM Personal suggested that Daniel should study harder
for the exam. |
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However, in British English (both in present and past) it is
also perfectly possible and acceptable to use the
following "casual" structure which is much more
understandable for Spanish-speakers: |
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PRESENT:
They recommended that she sees a specialist about the
problem.
OM Personal suggested that Daniel studies harder for
the exam. |
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PAST:
They recommended that she saw a specialist about the
problem.
OM Personal suggested that Daniel studied harder for
the exam. |
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WHAT SUBJUNCTIVE VERSION DO YOU PREFER? |
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This second British version of the subjunctive
is really easy to understand for Spanish speakers, but Americans
tend to find this grammar construction really odd. (And, to be
frank, most Spanish speakers find it hard to understand the
American version of the subjunctive). |
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Here below you will be able to
practise all these basic rules !! |
