English Grammar Subjunctive Verb

 

25. SUBJUNCTIVE

The subjunctive in English is the simple form of the verb when used after certain verbs indicating that one person wants another person to do something. The word that must always appear in subjunctive sentences. If it is omitted, most of the verbs are followed by the infinitive.

We urge that he leave now.

We urge him to leave now.

Study the following list of verbs.

advise ( উপদেশ দেওয়া)  demand(দাবি করা)    prefer (পছন্দ করা)                 require(প্রয়োজন হওয়া) ask (জিজ্ঞাসা করা)             insist(জিদ করা)         propose (প্রস্তাব করা)              stipulate(চুক্তি করা) command (আদেশ করা)   move(নড়াচড়া করা) recommend (সুপারিশ করা)        suggest(প্রস্তাব করা) decree(স্থির করা)           order (আদেশ করা)       request (অনুরোধ করা)                 urge(জিদ করা)

Note: The verb want itself is not one of these verbs.

In the following rule, verb indicates one of the above verbs.

subject + verb + that ÷ subject + [verb in simple form]...              (any tense)

The judge insisted that the jury return a verdict immediately.

The university requires that all its students take this course.

The doctor suggested that his patient stop smoking.

Congress has decreed that the gasoline tax be abolished.

We proposed that he take a vacation.

I move that we adjourn until this afternoon.

The simple form of the verb is also used after impersonal expressions with the same meaning as the above verbs. The adjectives that fit into this formula include the following.

Advised(উপদেশ)           necessary(প্রয়োজনীয়)               recommended                    urgent(দরকারী) Important       obligatory              required                               imperative (ইতিবাচক) mandatory     proposed               suggested

In the following rule, adjective indicates one of the above adjectives.

it + be + adjective + that + subject + [verb in simple form ……] (any tence)

It is necessary that he find the books.

It was urgent that she leave at once.

It has been proposed that we change the topic.

It is important that you remember this question.

It has been suggested that he forget the election.

It was recommended that we wait for the authorities.

Examples

INCORRECT: The foreign student advisor recommended that she studied more English before enrolling at the university

CORRECT: The foreign student advisor recommended that she study more English before enrolling at the university.

INCORRECT: The doctor suggested that she will not smoke.

CORRECT: The doctor suggested that he not smoke.

INCORRECT: I propose that the vote is secret ballot.

CORRECT: I propose that the vote be secret ballot.

INCORRECT: The law requires that everyone has have car checked at least once a year

CORRECT: The law requires that everyone have his car checked at least once a year

INCORRECT: She insisted that they would give her a receipt.

CORRECT: She insisted that they give her a receipt.

EXERCISES

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

Less moderate members of Congress are insisting that changes in the Social Security System ____ made.

(A) will         (B) are          (C) being       (D) be

Part B: Choose the incorrect word or phrase and correct it.

Many architects prefer that a dome is used to roof buildings that need to conserve floor space.

 

recommendation                        request                        requirement                          suggestion demand                                     insistence                       preference                             proposal

EXAMPLES

INCORRECT: He complied with the requirement that all graduate students in education should write a thesis.

CORRECT: He complied with the requirement that all graduate students in education write a thesis.

INCORRECT: The committee refused the request that the prerequisite shall be waived.

CORRECT: The committee refused the request that the prerequisite be waived.

INCORRECT’: She ignored the suggestion that she gets more exercise.

CORRECT: She ignored the suggestion that she get more exercise.

INCORRECT: The terrorist’s demand that the airline provides a plane will not be met by the deadline.

CORRECT: The terrorist’s demand that the airline provide a plane will not be met by the deadline.

INCORRECT: He regretted not having followed his advisor’s recommendation that he dropping the class. CORRECT: He regretted not having followed his advisor’s recommendation that he drop the class.

EXAMPLES

 

INCORRECT: It is not necessary that you must take an entrance examination to be admitted to an American university.

CORRECT: It is not necessary to take an entrance examination to be admitted to an American university.

or

        It is not necessary that you take an entrance examination to be admitted to an American university.

INCORRECT: It is important that I will speak with Mr. Williams immediately.

CORRECT: It is important to speak with Mr. Williams immediately.

or

                   It is Important that I speak with Mr. Williams immediately.

INCORRECT: It is imperative that you are on time.

CORRECT: It is imperative to be on time.

or

                   It is imperative that you be on time.

INCORRECT: It is imperative that your signature appears on your identification card.

CORRECT: It is imperative to sign your identification card.

or

                 It is imperative that your signature appear on your identification card.

INCORRECT: It is essential that all applications and transcripts are filed no later than July 1.

CORRECT: It is essential to file all applications and transcripts no later than July 1.

or

                It is essential that all applications and transcripts be filed no later than July 1.

 

Part A: Choose the correct answer.

It is necessary ________ the approaches to a bridge, the road design, and the alignment in such a way as to best accommodate the expected traffic flow over and under it.

           (A) plan   (B) to plan   (C) planning    (D) the plan

 

Exercise 39: Subjunctive

Correct the errors in the following sentences; if there are no errors, write correct.

I. The teacher demanded that the student left the room.

2. It was urgent that he called her immediately.

3. It was very important that we delay discussion.

4. She intends to move that the committee suspends discussion on this issue.

5. The king decreed that the new laws took effect the following month.

6. I propose that you should stop this rally.

7. I advise you take the prerequisites before registering for this course.

8. His father prefers that he attends a different university.

9. The faculty stipulated that the rule be abolished.

10. She urged that we found another alternative.