Subjunctive mood — formal academic register

Subjunctive là gì

Subjunctive mood = expressing wishes, recommendations, hypotheticals — không phải facts.

In modern English, subjunctive appears in formal/academic register, esp after certain verbs/expressions.

Most common form: bare infinitive after "that"

Pattern: verb + that + subject + bare infinitive (not conjugated)

Examples

• ✓ "The committee recommends that the policy be revised."
• ✓ "It is essential that every student submit the form."
• ✓ "The judge insisted that the witness tell the truth."

Notice: "be", "submit", "tell" — base form regardless of subject. NOT "is revised", "submits", "tells".

Indicative (less formal)

• "The committee recommends that the policy is revised." (acceptable but less formal)
• "It is essential that every student submits the form."

In IELTS Writing, subjunctive form preferred for formal academic register.

Triggers (verbs/adjectives requiring subjunctive)

Verbs of suggestion/recommendation

• recommend, suggest, propose, advise, urge, insist, demand, request, require, ask, order, command

Examples

• "Doctors recommend that everyone drink more water."
• "The professor suggested that the student rewrite the essay."
• "Authorities demanded that the protest be dispersed."

Adjectives + that-clause

• It is essential / vital / crucial / important / necessary / imperative that...

Examples

• "It is essential that climate policy be implemented globally."
• "It is crucial that future generations understand this history."
• "It is imperative that governments act decisively."

Nouns

• on the recommendation/suggestion/condition that

Examples

• "The deal proceeded on the condition that both parties agree to the terms."

Distinction: Subjunctive vs Indicative

Indicative (statement of fact)

• "The fact that he is late suggests poor planning." (he IS late = fact)

Subjunctive (recommendation, not yet fact)

• "I suggest that he be on time." (recommendation, not yet happening)

Past tense considerations

Subjunctive form doesn't change for past:

• Present: "I recommend that he be patient."
• Past: "I recommended that he be patient." (NOT "was")

This is subjunctive — invariant form regardless of main verb tense.

Common errors

Error 1: Conjugating the verb