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Primary English · Year 6Chapter 7 · Formal and informal English and the subjunctive
Year 6 English · Formal and informal English and the subjunctive · Lesson 7.4

Year 6 English: The subjunctive in formal statements: it is essential that he attend

Part of the Year 6 English formal and informal english and the subjunctive chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

7.4

The subjunctive in formal statements: it is essential that he attend

Year 6
Use the subjunctive in formal English, e.g. it is essential that he attend (Y5-6 grammar)
Story. A school letter says that it is essential that every pupil attend the meeting, and that the head teacher insisted that each form be signed by Friday.

In formal writing, the subjunctive is also used after words such as essential that, vital that, suggest that and insist that. Here the verb takes its base form: the plain form, such as attend, be or read.

The base form after that

SentenceVerb in the base form
It is essential that every pupil attend.attend
The head teacher insisted that the form be signed.be
I suggest that she read the book.read

Key ideas

  • After essential that, vital that, suggest that and insist that, use the base form.
  • The base form does not change for the subject: she attend, he be, they read.
  • This form is common in formal letters, rules and reports.
Worked example 7.4.1
Complete the sentence: It is essential that every pupil ___ on time. Write the word from the options arrive or arrives.

Method. After essential that, use the base form, without an s.

  1. Find the phrase. It is essential that is the formal phrase.
    essential that
  2. Choose the base form. The base form of the verb is arrive, without an s.
    arrive
  3. Check the sentence. It is essential that every pupil arrive on time.
    arrive
  4. Write the answer.
    arrive

Check. The base form arrive follows essential that. ✓

Worked example 7.4.2
Complete the sentence: The head teacher insisted that the form ___ signed today. Write the word from the options is or be.

Method. After insisted that, use the base form be.

  1. Find the phrase. Insisted that is followed by the subjunctive.
    insisted that
  2. Choose the base form. The base form of is is be.
    be
  3. Check the sentence. The form be signed today.
    be
  4. Write the answer.
    be

Check. be is the base form after insisted that. ✓

Worked example 7.4.3
Complete the sentence: I suggest that she ___ the book before the test. Write the word from the options reads or read.

Method. After suggest that, use the base form, without an s.

  1. Find the phrase. I suggest that is followed by the subjunctive.
    suggest that
  2. Choose the base form. Read is the base form, without the s.
    read
  3. Check the sentence. I suggest that she read the book.
    read
  4. Write the answer.
    read

Check. read is the base form. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: do not add an s to the verb after essential that, insist that or suggest that. Write she attend, not she attends.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read a school rule aloud, and to find the verb after a phrase such as it is essential that.

Exercise 7D  Practice: the subjunctive in formal statements

1
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is essential that every pupil ___ on time. Choose one: arrives or arrive.
2
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: The head teacher insisted that the form ___ signed today. Choose one: is or be.
3
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: I suggest that she ___ the book before the test. Choose one: reads or read.
4
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is vital that he ___ the rules before he starts. Choose one: understands or understand.
5
FChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is vital that he ___ the rules before he starts. Choose one: understands or understand.
6
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: The rule states that every form ___ signed by the parent. Choose one: is or be.
7
PSCorrect the verb in this formal sentence: It is essential that every pupil attends the meeting. Write the corrected sentence.
8
FWrite the base form of the verb in I suggest that they wait outside. Write the word only.
9
PSWrite one formal sentence using it is essential that and the base form of bring.
10
RExplain in one sentence why attend is used, not attends, in It is essential that he attend.
11
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: The doctor recommends that she ___ more water. Choose one: drinks or drink.
12
FWrite the verb in the base form: It is important that everyone listens carefully. Write the word only.
13
RExplain in one sentence when a formal writer might use the subjunctive, such as in a rule or a demand.
14
PSChoose the word that completes the sentence: It is essential that the door ___ locked at night. Choose one: is or be.

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