Subjunctive / Were
English keeps a small subjunctive. The present subjunctive uses the base verb after verbs of demand or suggestion, and the past subjunctive 'were' is used for all persons in unreal conditions.
Level C1
Sentence Structure & Emphasis
Summary
- English keeps a small subjunctive. The present subjunctive uses the base verb after verbs of demand or suggestion, and the past subjunctive 'were' is used for all persons in unreal conditions.
Structure
suggest/insist/demand that + subject + base verb ; if + subject + were
Examples
- The board insisted that he resign immediately.
- It is essential that every member be informed.
- If I were you, I'd take the offer.
- She demanded that the report be rewritten.
Common mistakes
- • Adding '-s' in the present subjunctive: 'insist that he resigns' is non-standard in formal English; use 'resign'.
- • Using 'was' in formal unreal conditions: 'if I was you' is better as 'if I were you'.
More sentence structure & emphasis
Basic Word Order
A1
English statements normally follow subject + verb + object order. Adverbs and time expressions go in fixed positions rather than between the verb and its object.
And, But, Or
A1
These conjunctions join words, phrases, or clauses. 'And' adds, 'but' contrasts, and 'or' offers a choice.
Inversion After Negative Adverbials
C2
When a negative or restrictive adverbial begins a sentence for emphasis, the subject and auxiliary invert as in a question. This is a formal, dramatic device.
Cleft Sentences
C1
Cleft sentences split one idea into two clauses to emphasise a particular element. 'It-clefts' begin with 'It is/was', and 'what-clefts' (pseudo-clefts) begin with a 'what'-clause.
Ellipsis and Substitution
C1
To avoid repetition, English omits words (ellipsis) or replaces them with shorter forms like 'so', 'do', 'one', and 'neither' (substitution). Both keep sentences economical and cohesive.
Fronting and Emphasis
C1
Fronting moves a word or phrase to the start of a sentence to give it emphasis or to improve cohesion. The element is highlighted simply by its unusual position.