The Subjunctive Present Tense: How and When to Use in English
Quick and simple lesson to help you understand grammar better.
Test your English and learn even more with Gymglish.
TEST YOUR ENGLISH
Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 8 million learners worldwide
The Subjunctive Present Tense
The present subjunctive is used in constructions such as:
They suggested that he come with them.
In English, the present subjunctive functions independently of time. It is formed by taking the infinitive form of the verb and removing to.
Bruno asked that everyone be on time.
I prefer that he go alone.
She had suggested that they be polite.
It was essential (that) he listen to me.
The present subjunctive is also used in constructions like:
God save the Queen. Please God, keep the Queen safe.
May the schwartz be with you. (Mel Brooks movie)
Far be it from me to criticize your work. I certainly would not criticize your work.
Be that as it may... I accept that is true, however...
Some verbs frequently followed by a verb in the present subjunctive (which often express an order, suggestion, advice, necessity, etc.): to require, to suggest, to be necessary, to advise, to insist
Note that the subjunctive is more commonly used in formal constructions.
Note that the subjunctive is more commonly used in formal constructions.
Exercise 1
Conjugate the verbs below correctly.
Every Friday, Luna DeLune a staff meeting with the rest of the managers of the company and is always on time. The meetings used to on Wednesdays, but when Luna her yoga classes last summer, she asked that the staff meetings rescheduled.
Every Friday, Luna DeLune a staff meeting with the rest of the managers of the company and is always on time. The meetings used to on Wednesdays, but when Luna her yoga classes last summer, she asked that the staff meetings rescheduled.
Conjugate the verbs below correctly.
Every Friday, Luna DeLune [not done] attends 1 a staff meeting with the rest of the managers of the company and is always on time. The meetings used to [not done] take place 2 on Wednesdays, but when Luna [not done] began 3 her yoga classes last summer, she asked that the staff meetings [not done] be 4 rescheduled.
Every Friday, Luna DeLune [not done] attends 1 a staff meeting with the rest of the managers of the company and is always on time. The meetings used to [not done] take place 2 on Wednesdays, but when Luna [not done] began 3 her yoga classes last summer, she asked that the staff meetings [not done] be 4 rescheduled.
1 attends: 'To attend' should be put in the simple present tense form. We use this tense to express the idea of a regular or repeated action: Luna attends a staff meeting every Friday.
2 take place: When followed by a verb in its infinitive form (without 'to'), 'used to' indicates a regular or habitual action in the past. Here, the expression is used to indicate that staff meetings were held or took place on Wednesdays in the past, (now they are held on Fridays).
3 began: The simple past tense is used to describe a single completed action which took place in the past. Here the phrase 'last summer' signals the need for the simple past tense. The verb 'to begin' is irregular: begin/began/begun.
4 be: 'She asked that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, (identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'). We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another, or that an action is unreal or hypothetical. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Icarus: I suggest that you a doctor right away. It looks pretty bad.
Philip: But it's only a rash. Do you think it's really necessary that I to the hospital?
Icarus: I'm only asking that you careful. It could be contagious.
Philip: But Bruno has requested that all employees in the building in case he needs us.
Icarus: Look Philip, you're bleeding all over my computer. I insist that you my office at least. You don't have to see a doctor. But please leave me alone.
Philip: Fine! I'll be at the bar.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Icarus: I suggest that you a doctor right away. It looks pretty bad.
Philip: But it's only a rash. Do you think it's really necessary that I to the hospital?
Icarus: I'm only asking that you careful. It could be contagious.
Philip: But Bruno has requested that all employees in the building in case he needs us.
Icarus: Look Philip, you're bleeding all over my computer. I insist that you my office at least. You don't have to see a doctor. But please leave me alone.
Philip: Fine! I'll be at the bar.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Icarus: I suggest that you [not done] see 1 a doctor right away. It looks pretty bad.
Philip: But it's only a rash. Do you think it's really necessary that I [not done] go 2 to the hospital?
Icarus: I'm only asking that you [not done] be 3 careful. It could be contagious.
Philip: But Bruno has requested that all employees [not done] stay 4 in the building in case he needs us.
Icarus: Look Philip, you're bleeding all over my computer. I insist that you [not done] leave 5 my office at least. You don't have to see a doctor. But please leave me alone.
Philip: Fine! I'll be at the bar.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Icarus: I suggest that you [not done] see 1 a doctor right away. It looks pretty bad.
Philip: But it's only a rash. Do you think it's really necessary that I [not done] go 2 to the hospital?
Icarus: I'm only asking that you [not done] be 3 careful. It could be contagious.
Philip: But Bruno has requested that all employees [not done] stay 4 in the building in case he needs us.
Icarus: Look Philip, you're bleeding all over my computer. I insist that you [not done] leave 5 my office at least. You don't have to see a doctor. But please leave me alone.
Philip: Fine! I'll be at the bar.
1 see: 'I suggest that you...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
2 go: 'It is necessary that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
3 be: 'I'm asking that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
4 stay: 'Bruno has requested that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
5 leave: 'I insist that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
1. It is critical that Philip prepared for the meeting with Harold Warbuckle.
2. Bruno told Kevin that it was necessary that he a good meal before negotiating.
3. Susie had asked that Icarus to the conference with her.
4. Kevin wants Bruno the proposal for the manufacturing plant before noon tomorrow.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
1. It is critical that Philip prepared for the meeting with Harold Warbuckle.
2. Bruno told Kevin that it was necessary that he a good meal before negotiating.
3. Susie had asked that Icarus to the conference with her.
4. Kevin wants Bruno the proposal for the manufacturing plant before noon tomorrow.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
1. It is critical that Philip [not done] be 1 prepared for the meeting with Harold Warbuckle.
2. Bruno told Kevin that it was necessary that he [not done] eat 2 a good meal before negotiating.
3. Susie had asked that Icarus [not done] go 3 to the conference with her.
4. Kevin wants [not done] to show 4 Bruno the proposal for the manufacturing plant before noon tomorrow.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
1. It is critical that Philip [not done] be 1 prepared for the meeting with Harold Warbuckle.
2. Bruno told Kevin that it was necessary that he [not done] eat 2 a good meal before negotiating.
3. Susie had asked that Icarus [not done] go 3 to the conference with her.
4. Kevin wants [not done] to show 4 Bruno the proposal for the manufacturing plant before noon tomorrow.
1 be: 'It is critical that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
2 eat: 'It was necessary that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
3 go: 'Susie had asked that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. We use the subjunctive present to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
4 to show: We must use the infinitive form of the verb 'to show' in this construction. When the conjugated verb 'to want' precedes another verb, the second verb is always put in its full infinitive form (with 'to). This construction is not an example of the subjunctive tense, it simply uses two verbs in succession.
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Polly: Luna, I'm asking that everyone to a collective gift for Susie.
Luna: What's the occasion?
Polly: It's her birthday next week, and Bruno has requested that the staff the expense of the gift. Do you have any ideas of what we could get for her?
Luna: How about a pony?
Polly: That's an interesting idea. However, Bruno insisted that the present reasonably priced.
Luna: But Susie once me that she loves animals.
Polly: that as it may, I don't think that a pony is a very realistic gift.
Luna: Well let's just buy her a cat, then.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Polly: Luna, I'm asking that everyone to a collective gift for Susie.
Luna: What's the occasion?
Polly: It's her birthday next week, and Bruno has requested that the staff the expense of the gift. Do you have any ideas of what we could get for her?
Luna: How about a pony?
Polly: That's an interesting idea. However, Bruno insisted that the present reasonably priced.
Luna: But Susie once me that she loves animals.
Polly: that as it may, I don't think that a pony is a very realistic gift.
Luna: Well let's just buy her a cat, then.
Fill in the blanks below with the appropriate form of the verb
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Polly: Luna, I'm asking that everyone [not done] contribute 1 to a collective gift for Susie.
Luna: What's the occasion?
Polly: It's her birthday next week, and Bruno has requested that the staff [not done] share 2 the expense of the gift. Do you have any ideas of what we could get for her?
Luna: How about a pony?
Polly: That's an interesting idea. However, Bruno insisted that the present [not done] be 3 reasonably priced.
Luna: But Susie once [not done] told 4 me that she loves animals.
Polly: [not done] Be 5 that as it may, I don't think that a pony is a very realistic gift.
Luna: Well let's just buy her a cat, then.
There is no need to use modals (could, should or would) in this exercise
Polly: Luna, I'm asking that everyone [not done] contribute 1 to a collective gift for Susie.
Luna: What's the occasion?
Polly: It's her birthday next week, and Bruno has requested that the staff [not done] share 2 the expense of the gift. Do you have any ideas of what we could get for her?
Luna: How about a pony?
Polly: That's an interesting idea. However, Bruno insisted that the present [not done] be 3 reasonably priced.
Luna: But Susie once [not done] told 4 me that she loves animals.
Polly: [not done] Be 5 that as it may, I don't think that a pony is a very realistic gift.
Luna: Well let's just buy her a cat, then.
1 contribute: 'I'm asking that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. Note that we always use the subjunctive present form of the second verb regardless of the tense of the first verb. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
2 share: 'Bruno has requested that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. Note that we always use the subjunctive present form of the second verb regardless of the tense of the first verb. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
3 be: 'Bruno insisted that...' is a construction which must be followed by a verb in the subjunctive present tense, which is identical to the infinitive form of the verb without 'to'. Note that we always use the infinitive form of the second verb regardless of the tense of the first verb. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of verbs which are frequently used to form the subjunctive present tense: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
4 told: This construction requires the simple past tense (preterit) form of the verb 'to tell'. The use of the term 'once' signals that this action took place one single time in the past. We use the simple past tense to describe single, completed actions (in the past).
5 Be: 'Be that as it may' is an expression which employs the subjunctive present tense. Although the verb 'to be' does not follow another verb, (as it does in many other uses of this tense) we still use the infinitive form (without 'to') in order to complete this construction correctly.
Exercise 5
"I suggest that you read pages 5 through 7 of your 'Employee Code of Conduct"
Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb.
There is no need to use modals (could, should, would, etc.) in this exercise.
I insisted that she me before coming.
Bruno asks that everyone to the conference next Monday.
It is necessary that you polite to my grandmother.
Susie requested that no one her for the next few hours.
Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb.
There is no need to use modals (could, should, would, etc.) in this exercise.
I insisted that she me before coming.
Bruno asks that everyone to the conference next Monday.
It is necessary that you polite to my grandmother.
Susie requested that no one her for the next few hours.
"I suggest that you read pages 5 through 7 of your 'Employee Code of Conduct"
Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb.
There is no need to use modals (could, should, would, etc.) in this exercise.
I insisted that she [not done] call 1 me before coming.
Bruno asks that everyone [not done] go 2 to the conference next Monday.
It is necessary that you [not done] be 3 polite to my grandmother.
Susie requested that no one [not done] disturb 4 her for the next few hours.
Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb.
There is no need to use modals (could, should, would, etc.) in this exercise.
I insisted that she [not done] call 1 me before coming.
Bruno asks that everyone [not done] go 2 to the conference next Monday.
It is necessary that you [not done] be 3 polite to my grandmother.
Susie requested that no one [not done] disturb 4 her for the next few hours.
1 call: This construction is an example of the subjunctive present tense. Certain verbs in English are always followed by another verb in the infinitive form (without "to") in order to form the subjunctive present tense. We use these verbs generally to express "suggestion" or "necessity". Note that regardless of the tense of the first verb, we always use the infinitive form of the verb following it. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of these verbs: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
2 go: This construction is an example of the subjunctive present tense. Certain verbs in English are always followed by another verb in the infinitive form (without "to") in order to form the subjunctive present tense. We use these verbs generally express "suggestion" or "necessity". Note that regardless of the tense of the first verb, we always use the infinitive form of the verb following it. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of these verbs: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
3 be: This construction is an example of the subjunctive present tense. Certain verbs in English are always followed by another verb in the infinitive form (without "to") in order to form the subjunctive present tense. We use these verbs generally express "suggestion" or "necessity". Note that regardless of the tense of the first verb, we always use the infinitive form of the verb following it. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of these verbs: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
4 disturb: This construction is an example of the subjunctive present tense. Certain verbs in English are always followed by another verb in the infinitive form (without "to") in order to form the subjunctive present tense. We use these verbs generally express "suggestion" or "necessity". Note that regardless of the tense of the first verb, we always use the infinitive form of the verb following it. We use the subjunctive to indicate that one action is uncertain or contingent upon another. Some examples of these verbs: to insist, to ask, to suggest, to require, to be necessary.
Still facing difficulties with 'The Subjunctive Present Tense'? Improve your English with Gymglish's English lessons - try our online English course for free now and receive a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Find out about other grammar rules. Improve your English further and test Gymglish, online English lessons.
Tips for learning 'The Subjunctive Present Tense'? Share them with us!
