Grammar: ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: Mastery (C1) - Lesson 3: Nuances of the Subjunctive Mood (Unreal past, wishes, formal expressions) - In-depth

ESL Cambodia 🇰🇭

The Subjunctive

Formal Commands & Suggestions

🏛️ The "Bare" Rule

Subject + Verb + THAT + Person + Base Verb

Use after verbs like: suggest, recommend, insist, demand, essential.
Note: The verb does NOT change (no 's', no 'ed').

Formal Examples

I suggest that he study harder.

ខ្ញុំស្នើអោយគាត់ខំរៀន (មិនមែន studies)

It is essential that she be on time.

វាចាំបាច់ណាស់ដែលនាងមកអោយទាន់ពេល (មិនមែន is)

Comparison	Verb Form
I insist that he comes. I insist that he come.	Base (No 's')
It is important that she is here. It is important that she be here.	Base (Be)

Unreal / Wishes

Dreaming of the Impossible

🌙 The "Were" Rule

If / Wish + Subject + WERE

When imagining something NOT true now. We normally use "was", but in Subjunctive, we use "were" for everyone (I, He, She, It).

I wish I were rich.

ខ្ញុំ ước ខ្ញុំមាន (តែខ្ញុំមិនមានទេ)

If I were you, I would go.

បើខ្ញុំជាអ្នក ខ្ញុំនឹងទៅ

FIXED EXPRESSIONS (Idioms)

• God save the King.
• Be that as it may... (However...)
• Come what may... (Whatever happens...)

Board Meeting 💼

Formal Recommendation

CEO 👩‍💼

The new project is delayed. What should we do?

Manager 👨‍💼

I recommend that the deadline be extended by two weeks.

CEO 👩‍💼

I insist that the team work overtime to finish it.

Manager 👨‍💼

If I were the boss, I would hire more staff! (Whispering)

Grammar Check 🧐

Find the Subjunctive.

It is important that he ___ the truth.

I wish I ___ taller.

The doctor suggested that she ___ exercise.

Mission 📝

The Recommendation Letter

Fill in the blanks:

Complete these formal sentences using the verb in brackets.

1. I recommend that Dara ________ (stay) home.
2. It is vital that she ________ (be) careful.
3. I wish he ________ (were/was) here now.
4. The boss insists that we ________ (go) early.

(Hint: Remember the Base Form!)