The Subjunctive

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Food writers recommended that travellers visit Chiang Mai just to try it. Chefs insisted that their restaurants serve it. Some food historians suggest that it is important that traditional recipes stay in the hands of the communities that created them.

Grammar Reference · The Subjunctive

Subjunctive — base

Use the base form of the verb after recommend/insist/suggest/demand + that. She recommended that he try the dish. No -s, no -ed.

Negative subjunctive

Add not before the base form. They suggested that she not skip breakfast before the tasting.

Subjunctive vs.

He insists that the kitchen be clean. — subjunctive. He says the kitchen is clean. — present simple (statement of fact).

Common error

I suggest that he tries it. ✗ → I suggest that he try it. ✓ — the subjunctive never takes a third-person -s.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

The Subjunctive

1.The guide recommended that tourists the night market before 8 p.m.

2.The restaurant manager insisted that every chef a food hygiene certificate.

3.The food blogger suggested that her readers fresh spices instead of dried ones.

4.Doctors recommend that people less processed sugar in their diet.

5.The competition rules demand that each contestant the dish in under 30 minutes.

6.His grandmother suggested that he the dough for at least one hour before baking.

02Exercise 2 — Find and Correct the Error

find the error · rewrite the sentence

1.The chef suggested that she tries a new ingredient each week.

2.Food historians insist that this recipe stays traditional.

3.The guide recommended that we visited the market early.

4.The organiser proposed that all vendors displays their prices.

5.Her doctor recommended that she not to eat spicy food this week.

6.The competition demanded that every dish is served at the correct temperature.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

The Subjunctive01EnglishPlans.com