The subjunctive is one of three moods in the English language. Its form is sometimes considered quite formal and rare in Modern English, although it still has its place in grammar. One place it is used is after certain words (called triggers) that are related to the idea of obligation. For example:

It is important that he go to school. /It is important that he be on time.

Here, go as opposed to goes and be as opposed to is are subjunctive verbs, and the trigger is the adjective important. The trigger can also be a noun or verb such as advise or insist. There is also a past subjunctive in Modern English, but it's very hard to see because the only verb that changes in English from the past indicative to the past subjunctive is the verb "to be" and it only changes in 1st and 3rd person singular. Otherwise it is exactly the same:

If she were [past subjunctive] in charge, she would let you do [present subjunctive] it.
I wish you were [past subjunctive] here with me.
If I controlled [past subjunctive] the world, there would be no world hunger anymore.
If we called [past subjunctive] her house right now, we would probably wake her up.

Back to the present subjunctive now:

It was important that he go to school yesterday.

The subjunctive is often replaced by a normal (indicative) verb or a verb with a modal of obligation in informal English:

I insist that he goes to school. I insist that he must go to school. [This is wrong though, because "I insist that he goes to school" means that the speaker is telling the other person that this "he" actually DOES GO to school whereas "he go" means "I insist that he SHOULD GO to school". See the difference? You're learning now.]

The subjunctive is also found in a few other cases, for example:

Long live [present subjunctive] the Queen. /If I were [past subjunctive] you, I'd go.

Okay, here's a quick exercise of where the subjunctive should be and is not seen too often in Modern English except in formal situations:

If he be late, we shall/will dock his pay. [present subjunctive]
If he were late, we should/would dock his pay. [past subjunctive]
If he had been late, we should/would have docked his pay. [past perfect subjunctive]
If he have been late [at any time], we shall/will dock his pay. [present perfect subjunctive]

Most of the time, in spoken Modern English, this rule isn't adhered to, as it were. It does exist though and should be used in writing formal papers at least. These constructions can be replaced with should in these examples:

Should he be late, we shall dock his pay.
Should he have been late at any time, we shall dock his pay.

Other subjunctive examples below:

If truth be told, you weren't the nicest person I've ever met.
If I died right now, you would miss me.
I wish this were easier.
He wishes he knew the numbers of the next lottery drawing.
God be with you.
God bless America.
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done.
God damn it!
God bless you.
God have mercy on your soul.
Rest in peace for all of eternity.
The Lord watch over thee, the Lord give thee strength...
Be that as it may, you are still grounded.
Suffice it to say, it wasn't the easiest decision I have ever made.
Far be it from me to interfere with your love life.
I'll play football tomorrow provided it not beraining.
As long as he do well on his test tomorrow, he will pass this class.
My biggest concern was that I not contractpneumonia.
Relax, man, I wouldn't do it until he were ready, anyway.
Be he alive or be he dead, bring him to me!
Whether it be this way or that way, I don't really care.
I suggested he see a doctor.
I hope that you be there tomorrow to see me accept that award.
I pray that we not fail you, sire.
God forbid the subjunctive die!
If I climbed that mountain, I would probably pass out from exhaustion.
If it please the court, I shall take the stand.
I advised that he listen to reason.
I proposed that we do it this way.
It's better that I not go with them.
It's a good idea that they remain silent.
I order that he be put to death.
I will see to it that you be hanged for treason!
In order that I survive, I must find water.
I won't break the law lest I be arrested.
Oh, how I yearn that I live a long life!
I asked that he do that for me.
It's doubtful that he know the answer.
It's unlikely that he be in class tomorrow.
How about I be the teacher for the day?
I shall do this so that they not have to.
God save the queen.
If he spoke better English, this wouldn't be a problem.
If he had gone to school, he would have been able to take his math test.
We're going to do it, anyway, whether he vote for it or not.
Although the subjunctive be hard for many, it really can be quite easy to pick up.
I command that they be sentenced to die for their crimes.
It is illegal that one surpass the posted speed limit.
It was wrong that they speak to her.
It was justified that we do that.
It's only fitting that you be the only person left.
It was only right that he win the game.
I would rather we not learn the subjunctive.
If that be the case, I shall eat my hat.
So be it!
Let them stay here!
In case he forget, you should give him a call.
It's necessary that you use the subjunctive correctly.
It's time you be exposed for the crook you are.
Suppose my wife cheated on me. No matter whom she were with or how she treated me, I would stand by her as her faithful cuckold.
Make sure that he buckle his seatbelt! [only when "make sure" means "see to it", "be sure", "guarantee", or "ensure".]

This below is an area of trouble because the subjunctive can exist in some subordinate clauses and other types of clauses that one might not notice in English:

It all depends on what the weather might be like tomorrow. ["might" replaces present subjunctive]
It would all depend on what the weather were like tomorrow. ["were" is past subjunctive here in the conditional]
Wherever she may be, be it here or there, I will find her. ["may" replaces present subjunctive]
Wherever she were, were it here or there, I would find her ["were" is past subjunctive here in the conditional]

There is the subjunctive in a quick lesson. It's really bigger than that in English and was once enormous. In Modern English, though, while there may be more constructions, the ones above are formal and not all of them are necessary anymore. Although many would argue that the subjunctive in English will be dead in the next few generations, don't listen to them because it won't be dead. It cannot die because it still exists formulaically and much of the "that clauses" will always remain subjunctive to native speakers. It just may be harder to see one day. I think that third person singular's "-s" and "-es" endings such as "he finishes" will die off in the next few hundred years before the subjunctive will cease to exist.

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