English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
SUBJUNCTIVES
I ~suggest that she arrives~ early for this purpose (nonstandard).
I *suggest that she arrive* early for this purpose (standard).
“Suggest that” is an example of mandative subjunctive. They are followed by the base verb notwithstanding whether the subject is singular or plural or whether tense is present or past. Another example is “recommend that”:
The doctor recommended ~that he stopped~ smoking (nonstandard).
The doctor *recommended that he stop* smoking (standard).
~God forbids~ that I allow him in my house (nonstandard).
*God forbid* that I allow him in my house (standard).
“God forbid” is an example of formulaic subjunctive. They do not follow subject-verb agreement. Other examples are as follows:
Heaven forbids. ❌
Heaven forbid. ✅
God Saves the King. ❌
God Save the King. ✅
GAB
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