What you'll learn
By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to recognise and use the present subjunctive: the unchanged base form of the verb.
When do I use it?
The present subjunctive uses the BASE form of the verb (no -s, no tense), even after he/she/it. It appears after:
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Verbs of demand/recommendation: demand, insist, suggest, recommend, ask, propose.
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Adjectives of importance: essential, vital, crucial, necessary, important, urgent.
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Fixed expressions: "God save the Queen", "Long live the king", "Come what may".
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"The judge demanded that he appear in court." (not "appears")
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"It is essential that she be present." (not "is")
How do I form it?
demand/insist/suggest + that + subject + base verb It is essential/vital + that + subject + base verb
- I insist that he apologise.
- They proposed that the meeting be postponed.
- It is crucial that the report be ready on time.
- We demand that the money be returned.
The subjunctive is identical to the base form, so it is only visible with he/she/it and with "be".
Common mistakes for Spanish speakers
Spanish has a rich subjunctive, so the CONCEPT is familiar — but English speakers often use the indicative ("I insist that he apologises") in casual speech, so do not be surprised to hear it. Your job is to recognise the subjunctive and to produce it in formal writing. Do not add "to" after the subjunctive ("demanded that he to appear" is wrong) and remember the negative: "demanded that he not appear", with "not" before the base verb.
After demand/insist/essential + that, use the base verb for all subjects: that he be, that she arrive.
Practice
Multiple Choice
C1Which sentence uses the subjunctive?
Fill in the Blank
C1It is vital that the team ready by Monday.
Hint: After 'vital that', use the base form 'be'.
Find the Error
C1Sentence Transformation
C1Task: Rewrite with the subjunctive
Hint: Replace 'is' with the base form 'be'.
Practice Speaking
Apply what you've learned in a real conversation with AI feedback.
Level: C1