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Verb Tense Tip: The best way to deal with verb tense is to set yourself up in time. Ask: am I in the present,
past, or future? If you are in the present, you have two tenses to choose from, if in the past, three tenses, and if
you are in the future, you have 2 tenses.
Subjunctive ....................................................................................
Subjunctive Usage #1: Subjunctive is used when expressing urgency, or demanding or suggesting something.
The following words should always be followed by the subjunctive:
To demand (that)
To insist (that)
To command (that)
To mandate (that)
To desire (that)
To ask (that)
To request (that)
To urge (that)
To suggest (that)
To recommend (that)
To advise (that)
Below are some examples of phrases that likewise require the subjunctive:
It is essential (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)...
A sentence using the subjunctive is formed with a subject #1, followed by a verb #1, followed by a “that”
followed by a subject #2, followed by a verb #2, with lots of stuff in the middle.
Check it out:
Rick demanded that Danica pay him the money.
The subject #1 is always performing the action (in this case Rick).
The verb #1 is always the urgency verb (in this case demanded).
The subject #2 is always the direct or receiving object (in this case Danica is receiving the demand).
The verb #2 is always the subjunctive (in this case pay).
The subjunctive is constructed as the infinitive without the “to.” (“to pay” is written as “pay.”)
PRESENT
simple/progressive present
present perfectFUTURE
simple/progressive future
future perfectPAST
simple/progressive past
present perfect
past perfect