Use the Subjunctive and Formal Structures

The key idea

Choose the base verb or formal should after expressions of recommendation, demand, and importance.

What is it for?

Write clear, formal recommendations using the present subjunctive and should.

What you need to know

Use the base verb after that with verbs and expressions of recommendation or importance.
Recognise suggest, recommend, insist, demand, essential, vital, and important.
Use should + base verb as an alternative, especially in British English.
Use not before the base verb for negative subjunctive forms.
Choose the subjunctive for recommendations, policies, and formal letters.
Distinguish the subjunctive from ordinary statements about facts.

1. Use the base verb after that

The present subjunctive uses the base verb after that. The verb does not change for he, she, or it. Do not add -s or use will. This form often follows recommendations and important requests.

Use suggest, recommend, insist, or demand before a that-clause.
Use essential, vital, or important in expressions about what must happen.
Keep the verb in its base form for every subject.

The manager recommends that every worker arrive early.

Use arrive, not arrives, after that.

It is vital that the door remain locked.

Remain is the base form.

The school insists that each student wear a uniform.

Wear stays unchanged after each student.

2. Recognise the expressions that trigger it

Some verbs and adjectives introduce a recommendation or a demand. The subjunctive makes the required action clear. It does not describe an ordinary fact.

Common verbs include suggest, recommend, insist, and demand.
Common adjectives include essential, vital, and important.
Use that before the clause in formal writing.

We suggest that the shop extend its opening hours.

Suggest introduces a recommendation.

It is important that every form be complete.

Important introduces a necessary condition.

The committee demands that the company explain the delay.

Demands introduces a formal request.

3. Use should as an alternative

You can also use should after these expressions. This form is common in British English. It sounds formal and gives advice or states what is necessary. Keep the base verb after should.

Use should + base verb.
Use should be before an adjective or noun phrase.
Do not combine should with another verb ending in -s.

It is essential that every applicant should provide identification.

Should provide is an alternative to provide.

We recommend that the room should remain quiet.

Should remain gives the same general recommendation.

It is vital that the report should be accurate.

Should be is followed by an adjective.

4. Make negative recommendations

Put not before the base verb in a negative subjunctive clause. Do not use don't or doesn't in this formal structure. With should, put not after should.

Positive: that the door remain closed.
Negative: that the door not remain open.
Alternative: that the door should not remain open.

The doctor insists that the patient not skip meals.

Not comes before the base verb skip.

It is essential that staff not share passwords.

Not share is the negative subjunctive form.

We recommend that visitors should not enter this room.

Should not comes before the base verb enter.

5. Separate recommendations from facts

The subjunctive presents an action as necessary or recommended. The indicative describes what is true or happens. Choose the form that matches your purpose. In formal letters and policies, the subjunctive can make requirements precise.

Recommendation: We insist that he be present.
Fact: We know that he is present.
Use the subjunctive when proposing a rule or required action.

The director insists that every worker be available.

Be expresses a requirement.

The director knows that every worker is available.

Is describes a fact.

It is important that the policy protect student privacy.

Protect expresses the intended result.

How to do it, step by step

Identify the action you want to recommend or require.
Choose a suitable verb or adjective, such as recommend or essential.
Add that and use the base verb.
Use not for a negative requirement, or should for an alternative.
Check that the sentence expresses a recommendation, not simply a fact.

Formulas and key language

Use it for	Example	Another example
suggest that + subject + base verb	We suggest that the school reduce homework.	I suggest that the shop open earlier.
recommend that + subject + base verb	We recommend that every student bring a notebook.	They recommend that the office close at six.
insist that + subject + base verb	The teacher insists that each student arrive on time.	The manager insists that every worker follow the rules.
demand that + subject + base verb	The parents demand that the school improve its meals.	The staff demand that the company explain the change.
It is essential that + subject + base verb	It is essential that every student feel safe.	It is essential that each form contain accurate details.
It is vital that + subject + base verb	It is vital that the door remain locked.	It is vital that every child receive support.
It is important that + subject + not + base verb	It is important that students not share passwords.	It is important that workers not ignore safety rules.
It is essential that + subject + should + base verb	It is essential that every student should attend.	It is essential that the room should remain clean.
It is vital that + subject + should not + base verb	It is vital that staff should not reveal private details.	It is vital that visitors should not block the exit.

UK / US: British English often uses should after these expressions. American English often prefers the base subjunctive without should. Both forms are correct in suitable contexts.

Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to C1 upgrades page.

Model text

Recommendation for a New Homework Policy

Purpose

The school board is reviewing its homework policy. I recommend that the school introduce a daily time limit because several families report that evening tasks interfere with sleep and family meals. A clear limit could also help teachers plan more balanced lessons.

The opening states the purpose and gives a reason.

Main recommendations

First, I suggest that teachers set a reasonable limit for each year group. It is essential that every assignment have a clear purpose and that students understand its instructions. I also insist that the policy not require internet access for every task, since some homes have unreliable connections. Where online work is necessary, I recommend that the school provide access to suitable devices.

The main points use the base verb after recommendation expressions.

Practical support

It is vital that teachers coordinate deadlines across subjects. Otherwise, several small tasks may become an excessive workload. The board may also consider a weekly homework-free evening. It is important that students should have enough time for rest, exercise, and family responsibilities. Teachers should review the policy after eight weeks and collect feedback from students and parents.

The paragraph adds practical steps and one should alternative.

Conclusion

I therefore recommend that the board approve a short trial period before adopting the policy permanently. This approach would allow staff to identify problems and make necessary changes. A balanced policy should support learning without placing unreasonable pressure on families.

The conclusion repeats the recommendation and proposes a review.

Common mistakes

✗ We suggest that he arrives earlier.

✓ We suggest that he arrive earlier.

The subjunctive uses the base verb, without -s.

✗ It is vital that she will attend.

✓ It is vital that she attend.

Do not use will in this subjunctive clause.

✗ They demand that the shop closes early.

✓ They demand that the shop close early.

Use the base verb after demand that.

✗ It is essential that he should attends.

✓ It is essential that he should attend.

The verb after should never takes -s.

✗ We insist that workers do not be late.

✓ We insist that workers not be late.

Use not before the base verb in this negative subjunctive.

✗ The manager knows that every worker arrive early.

✓ The manager knows that every worker arrives early.

Know describes a fact, so use the indicative.

Plan it, then check it

Plan

Write down the policy change you want to recommend.
Choose two or three reasons for the change.
Select expressions such as recommend, suggest, or essential.
Add practical steps and explain how the board can review them.

Check

Have I used the base verb after recommendation expressions?
Have I avoided will in the subjunctive clauses?
Have I formed negative clauses with not correctly?
Have I used should with the base verb?
Have I separated recommendations from statements of fact?

Practice

EXERCISE:

Choose the correct form

Choose the best form for each formal sentence.

1.We recommend that every student ___ a notebook.

Recommend that takes the base verb in the subjunctive.

2.It is vital that the door ___ locked.

Vital introduces a requirement, so use the base verb.

3.The manager insists that each worker ___ on time.

Insist that is followed by the base verb.

4.It is essential that the report ___ accurate.

Be is the subjunctive base form.

5.We demand that the company ___ the delay.

Demand that introduces a required action.

6.It is important that students ___ share passwords.

The negative subjunctive uses not before the base verb.

Now write

Your task

Write a formal recommendation of 120-160 words to a school board about a new homework policy. Use this fictional situation: students receive homework from several teachers on the same evening. Some students finish late and sleep too little. Recommend a daily time limit, shared deadlines, and one homework-free evening each week. Explain why these changes could help. Include at least five subjunctive structures or formal should alternatives. End by recommending a trial period and a review. Use made-up details only.

Target: 120-160 words

Word bank

daily time limitshared deadlineshomework-free eveningreasonable workloadstudent well-beingfamily responsibilitiesclear instructionsaccess to devicesbalanced timetablelearning goalsteacher coordinationtrial periodstudent feedbackparent feedbackreview the policy

Sentence starters

I recommend that the school...
It is essential that teachers...
We suggest that each student...
It is important that the policy not...
The board should consider...
I therefore recommend that the board...

Use fictional names, details, and situations. Do not include private information.

Write in your notebook or in a document, then use the checklist below.

Check your writing

Have I used the base verb after suggest or recommend?
Have I used the base verb after essential, vital, or important?
Have I formed negative subjunctive clauses with not?
Have I used should with the base verb?
Have I chosen the indicative when I describe a fact?

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