When we teach noun clauses, the question of the subjunctive comes up
after verbs such as insist, as well as after phrases
like it is important. We actually teach our
students to write sentences like these:
The football coach insists that each player get
eight hours of sleep per night.
It is important that you be on time.
However, I find that native English speakers often don't use a subjunctive,
and prefer:
The football coach insists that each player gets
eight hours of sleep per night.
It is important that you are on time.
Are they just plain wrong, or is the subjunctive slowly dying?
Julia Cayuso
Coral Gables, FL
There's no doubt that the subjunctive is being used (and taught) less
and less in American English, and I believe the same to be true of other
varieties around the world. However, because it is still considered
correct in most written and formal spoken English, it should be given
some attention in upper-intermediate to advanced courses.
Barbara Matthies
I have often wondered the same thing. I agree with Barbara about the
advisability of teaching the subjunctive. I would not describe the subjunctive
as exactly dying; it's just quite formal, and formality in our world is
not increasing!
The subjunctive mood in a noun clause that + the
subject + the simple form of the verb comes
after certain verbs, as in sentence (a), and adjectives, as in sentence
(b):
| (a) |
Her father insists that she speak English
well.
|
| (b) |
it's absolutely essential that the meeting begin on
time.
|
It is very effective in establishing a sense of urgency in a formal manner.
Alternatively, you can use many of these verbs—such as require,
urge or ask—in a less formal manner in
this construction: verb + the noun or pronoun
object + the infinitive, as in the sentence:
| (c) |
University rules require a player to keep up in
his academic studies.
|
| (d) |
I asked him to help me.
|
Another alternative with some of the verbs is to use a gerund or
a gerund phrase, like this:
| (e) |
I recommend telling the truth.
|
| (f) |
I asked him to help me.
|
The adjectives of urgency (vital, essential,
important, etc.) are often used in a less formal way, too: using
the construction for + noun or pronoun object
+ infinitive, as in these examples:
| (g) |
It's important for you to be
on time.
|
| (h) |
It's essential for the handicapped to have special
access.
|
I've put some of the verbs and adjectives that can be used with the
subjunctive into a chart, which also shows
alternative ways to express the same idea. Note that two of these
verbs—suggest
and insist—can also be used with the indicative,
with a diferent meaning.
Also see Marilyn's explanation. More…