Subjunctive I [1] (or Present Subjunctive [9; 19]) represents an action as problematic, but not as contradicting reality. It is used to express order, request, wish, suggestion, supposition, purpose, etc.
Subjunctive I has no tenses, the same form is used for all persons. It is expressed by bare infinitive [1; 2; 3; 5; 11; 18; 19]:
E.g. My uncle insisted that he pay for the meal.
E.g. It’s essential that everybody arrive on time.
E.g. I’ve recommended that you be kept here in the same position. /John Grisham Runaway Jury/
THE USE OF SUBJUNCTIVE I
I. In simple sentences Subjunctive I has optative [3] meaning (желательное значение):
E.g. So be it! (Да будет так). Heavens forbid! (Упаси Господи!). The devil take him! (Чёрт его возьми/дери). God save the queen! (Храни, Господь, королеву!).
It is used mainly in formal style and formulaic expressions [8; 9; 20] – prayers, wishes, oaths, swearing, etc. which should be memorized as wholes: Far be it from me… (я далек от того, чтобы…); So be it; Be it that way… (пусть так и будет…); Suffice it to say… (достаточно сказать, что); Come what may (будь, что будет); Long live (the king)! (долгих лет/ долгой жизни…); Heaven/God forbid!
II. In complex sentences Subjunctive I denotes a hypothetical action referring to the present or future [1; 2; 3; 5]. It is used:
1. In subject clauses introduced by the pronoun it:
E.g. “He called an hour ago. Said it was important that he talk to you.” /John Grisham The Street Lawyer/ (Он позвонил час назад. Сказал, очень важно, чтобы он поговорил с тобой)
E.g. It's necessary that all the members of the board be present at Monday meeting. (Необходимо, чтобы все члены совета директоров присутствовали на собрании в понедельник)
2. In predicative clauses:
E.g. My (only) wish is that my son be/become a doctor (Моё (единственное) желание, чтобы сын стал врачом)
3. In object clauses after the expression of order, suggestion or fear in the principle clause:
E.g. We demand that he go there at once (Мы требуем, чтобы он пошёл туда немедленно)
E.g. I suggest that she arrive unannounced (Предлагаю, чтобы она приехала без предупреждения)
E.g. What do you suggest we do? (Что Вы предлагаете нам сделать?)
E.g. She returned from the sandwich shop to find a letter from the BBC asking her to go on Desert Island Discs and recommending she choose a mixture of contemporary and classical music. /Wendy Holden Simply Divine/ (Вернувшись из бутербродной, она нашла приглашение от БиБиСи на распродажу музыкальных дисков «Необитаемый Остров» с рекомендацией выбрать смешанный альбом современной и классической музыки)
NOTE: After the expressions of fear the object clause is introduced by the conjunction lest (как бы не):
E.g. We're afraid lest he be late. (Мы боимся, как бы он не опоздал)
4. In adverbial clauses:
- Of purpose:
E.g. We’ll start early lest we be late (Начнём пораньше, а то как бы не опоздать)
E.g. But eventually Alex insisted that she hurry lest they miss their train. /Dean Koontz The Key to Midnight/ (В конце концов, Алекс настоял на том, чтобы она поторопилась, чтобы они не опоздали на поезд)
- Of condition:
E.g. If you be at the party tonight and meet Rick, tell him about my plan (Случись, что ты будешь на вечеринке и встретишь Рика, расскажи ему о моём плане)
- Of concession:
E.g. Whatever the reason be the fact remains (Какова бы ни была причина, факт остаётся фактом)
E,g, Whoever you be, you have no right to do such things (Кто(Кем) бы ты ни был, ты не имеешь права делать такое)
E.g. Even though it rain, we'll leave for the suburbs on Friday (Даже если пойдёт дождь, мы всё равно уедем в пятницу за город)
Subjunctive I is widely used in formal style [3]. In imaginary prose you may often come across Subjunctive I constructions in the American variety of English:
E.g. Never listen at a knot-hole lest you be vexed. /Stephen King Different Seasons/
E.g. You believe the demand of adults that children share toys sets an unnatural precedent. /Nora Roberts The Private Scandals/
E.g. But right now I didn’t want to raise my voice – lest they hear me! /Phyllis A. Whitney The Singing Stones/
E.g. It's imperative that you not speak to them ever again. /John Grisham The Runaway Jury/
E.g. People, dogs, religion, architecture, sport <…>Saturday morning cartoons – it seemed urgent and vital that she know what he thought about those and a million other subjects. /Dean Koontz The Key to Midnight/
