 Subjunctive is not very significant in modern English. You might encounter subjunctive in American English or in formal text. Form of subjunctive In most of the cases, the subjunctive and indicative forms of the verb are the same. Many times you would not realize whether a verb is used in subjunctive or indicative form. While using subjunctive, "s" is not needed in 3rd person singular and the verb "be" remains "be" for all forms in present tense and becomes "were" for all forms in past tense.  Uses of Subjunctive Subjunctive is used in some certain fixed phrases
Particular verbs (example: demand, insist, suggest, recommend) and adjectives (example: essential, important, vital) are followed by "that" + subjunctive to suggest that something must be done (directive aspect).
Sentences in subjunctive sound very formal, that is why often an auxiliary is preferred.
Look at the following sentences: He insisted that she be present. (He wanted her to be there) He insisted that she was there. (He knew that she was there) |