One part of speech that I often see with grammatical errors or incorrect use is the subjunctive. In other languages it takes a different form or conjugation so is clearly recognisable, but in English it can be a bit tricky as it uses the bare infinitive.
The subjunctive is utilised in formal, and more so now in Business English, when there is a need to express the importance of something. It usually follows verbs like recommend, insist or suggest, and other words that express these ideas, such as vital, important or essential.
The subjunctive takes the bare infinitive form of the verb, and all persons including the third person singular are written or spoken without an ‘s’. It has the same form whether we are referring to the present, past or future.
We recommend that all staff acknowledge receipt of this letter.
They insisted that we go with her.
It is vital that children remain in the school grounds until their parents collect them.
They claimed it was essential that the security system be checked.
In the negative form, the subjunctive does not take the word do:
They insisted that we not stay any longer.
It is vital that children not leave the school grounds until their parents collect them.
Note that the subjunctive form of the verb to be is be for all persons:
I be / you be / he be / she be, etc.
To avoid use of the subjunctive, use the structure should + infinitive:
We insist that all staff should acknowledge receipt of this letter.
They insisted that we should go with them.
It is vital that children should remain in the school grounds until their parents collect them.
The subjunctive is also used in some fixed phrases:
Be that as it may, you are still required to attend.
If they insist on that attitude, then so be it.
Heaven forbid!
God save the Queen!
The use of the verb form were in some conditional sentences is also a form of the subjunctive:
If I were you, I’d see a doctor.
He wishes he were here with you.
But, I be a writer and be good at grammar too is not the subjunctive. Good luck with perfecting your use of this often forgotten part of speech.
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5 comments
Fatima Rosales Naya says:
30/01/2012 at 11:12 am (UTC 1 )
So much easier than trying to teach the Spanish subjunctive to English-speaking people!
Derek Haines says:
30/01/2012 at 12:45 pm (UTC 1 )
Il faut que j’apprends Fatima! lol
Derek Haines recently posted..The Subjunctive In English
Pat Newcombe says:
30/01/2012 at 12:03 pm (UTC 1 )
A tricky subject – it’s true. But most English speaking people use it correctly without pause, quite naturally, don’t you think? Great post, Derek.
Derek Haines says:
30/01/2012 at 12:48 pm (UTC 1 )
Probably right Pat. But in business English, where it is very useful, I see it being used poorly quite often.
Derek Haines recently posted..The Subjunctive In English
Sammi Law says:
30/01/2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC 1 )
I’m off to bed soon. I’ll sleep on that information and test myself in the morning. I appreciate the lesson. I have long been challenged by the appropriate use of the complex English language. I was one of those students who thrived in math class and snoozed on literature.