Subjunctive: 'It is essential that...'

The subjunctive is a bit of a rebel. It ignores the standard rules of conjugation. Usually, we change verbs to match the subject. We say he walks or she eats. In the subjunctive, the verb stays in its base form. It does not care if the subject is I, you, or he. It stays raw and simple. This can feel strange at first. Your brain will want to add an s. You must resist that urge. It is like a grammar diet. You are stripping away the extra letters to keep the verb lean. This "base form" is the infinitive without the word to. Even the verb to be stays as be. It never becomes am, is, or are in this structure. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, so don't worry!

1. 1Creating this structure is like following a simple recipe. You just need to assemble the right ingredients in order.
2. 2Start with the introductory phrase It is (or It was).
3. 3Choose a "trigger" adjective that expresses importance (e.g., essential, vital, crucial).
4. 4Add the word that to connect the ideas.
5. 5Place your subject next (the person or thing that needs to act).
6. 6Use the base form of the verb (no endings, no changes).
7. 7Example: It is essential that he arrive on time.
8. 8Notice there is no s on arrive. Even though the subject is he, the verb remains in its simplest form. If you want to make it negative, just put not before the verb. Example: It is vital that she not forget the documents.

Use this when something is non-negotiable. It is perfect for professional settings. Imagine you are in a high-stakes job interview. You want to sound precise and professional. You might say, "It is vital that the team meet its quarterly goals." Or imagine you are a doctor giving advice. You tell a patient, "It is imperative that you take this medicine daily." It works for suggestions, demands, and urgent needs. It carries a lot of weight. Use it when you want to sound serious and authoritative. It is the language of contracts, medical advice, and high-level business meetings. It tells the listener that the situation is significant. Think of it as your "professional voice."

Do not use this for simple facts or casual observations. If you are just describing a situation, use the regular indicative mood. For example, "It is true that he is late." Here, is is a fact. There is no demand or urgency involved. Also, avoid it in very casual talk with friends. If you say "It is essential that thou pass the salt," you will sound like you are in a Shakespeare play. Keep it for moments that require a bit of gravitas. If the situation is relaxed, a simple "You should" or "You need to" is much better. You don't want to sound like a textbook while eating pizza with your buddies.

The biggest mistake is the "Third Person S." People often write It is essential that she stays. This is incorrect in the subjunctive. It must be she stay. Another trap is the verb to be. People want to say It is vital that he is here. The correct form is It is vital that he be here. Yes, just the word be. It feels naked, but it is correct. Finally, don't forget the that. While you can sometimes drop it in casual speech, you should always keep it for formal writing. Another common error is using don't for negatives. Instead of that he doesn't go, you must use that he not go. It sounds a bit like a movie villain, but it is grammatically perfect.

Compare this to the British "should" construction. In the UK, people often say It is essential that he should go. This is also correct and very common. However, the American style usually drops the should entirely. Both are understood globally. Also, compare it to the infinitive. You could say It is essential for him to go. This is simpler and very common in everyday English. But the subjunctive version adds a layer of formal authority. It makes your English sound more sophisticated and precise. It is the difference between saying "You need to finish this" and "It is imperative that this be finished."