subjunctive 541 ibjunctive he subjunctive is a special kind of present person singular. Itis sometimes used in pecially in American English, after wo! lething is important or desirable al, essential, important, advice). ind past sentences, Itis essential that every child have t We felt it was important that James possible. Our advice is that the company invest in new equipment ‘The judge recommended that Simmons remain in prison forat least three years, ‘is not used in negative subjunctives. Note the word order, We considered it desirable that he not leave school before finishing his exams. tense which has no -s in the third that-clauses ina formal style, ds which express the idea that (e.g. suggest, recommend, ask, insist, The same forms are used in both present he same educational opportunities, write to Uncle Arthur as soon as has special subjunctive forms: Ibe, you be etc, _ Misimportant that Helen be present when we sign the papers. The Director asked that he be allowed to advertise for more staff @ forms I wvere and he/shelit were, used for example after if (see 260.4) and Wish (see 601) in a formal style, are also a kind of subjunctive. Iflwere you I should stop smoking wish it were ‘Saturday. fixed phrases " Subjunctives are also used in certain fixed phrases. Examples: God save the King/Queen! Long live the bride and groom! God bless you. Heaven forbid. He's a sort of adopted uncle, as it were, ina way.) Be thatas it may... (= Whether that is true or not...) If we have to pay £2,000, then so be We can't do anything to change it) other structures _ Most subjunctive structures are formal and unusual in British English. In that clauses, British people usually prefer should + infinitive (see 497), or ordinary present and past tenses. Itis essential that every child should have the same educational opportunities. (OR ... that every child has...) We felt it was important that James should write to Uncle Arthur as soon as possible. (on ... that James wrote...) older English _ Older English had more subj junctive forms, and used them in many kinds of ‘unreal’ sense to talk about Possible, desirable or imaginary situations. Many page 566suppose, supposing and 545 suggest a infinitive not used Suggest is not followed by object + infinitive, That-clauses an structures are common. Her uncle suggested that she (should) get a job ina bank Her uncle suggested getting a job in a bank. (vot Herunele suggested her to-get-c-job-in-a bank) verb forms in that-clauses In that-clauses after suggest, various verb forms are possible. a Ordinary present and past tenses can be used in British Her uncle suggests that she gets a job in a bank. He suggested that she got a job ina bank. b Ina formal style, subjunctives are possible, especially in Am See 54] for details 4 He suggests that she get a job in a bank. He suggested that she get a job in a bank. In British English, should + infinitive is common. (This is rare English.) He suggests that she should get a job in a bank. He suggested that she should get a job in a bank: direct suggestions In direct suggestions (‘I suggest ...), should is not generally used. Tsuggest (that) you get... (NOT -Fsuggest that youshould gel objects We can use a direct object after suggest. “What shall we give the children?’ 'I suggest hamburgers. Suggest is not normally followed by an indirect object without & Can you suggest a restaurant to us? (Nor -Gan-you suggest 546 suppose, supposing and what if Suppose, supposing and what if can all be used to introduce sug (Supposing is less common in American English.) The verb can be past; a past form makes the suggestion sound less definite, ‘Thaven’t got a table cloth.’ ‘Suppose we use a sheet.’ What if we invite your mother next weekend and go away the ‘Daddy, can I watch TV?’ Supposing you did your homework, What if I came tomorrow instead of this afternoon? ‘These expressions can also be used to talk about fears. ‘Let's go swimming! ‘Suppose there are sharks?" ‘Tm going to climb up there.’ ‘No! What if you slipped?"