In the sentence ‘I insisted that she wait,’ many learners may wonder why the verb ‘wait’ appears in its base form and why ‘should’ isn’t used here. It might seem natural to say ‘she should wait,’ but in English grammar, this construction actually follows specific rules related to the subjunctive mood. In this article, we will explore when and why the subjunctive is used, and why the sentence ‘she should wait’ would not be appropriate in this case.
What Is the Subjunctive Mood?
The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, demands, or hypothetical situations. It is often used after verbs that express a necessity, recommendation, or insistence, such as ‘insist,’ ‘recommend,’ ‘suggest,’ or ‘demand.’ In such cases, the verb that follows is typically in its base form (the infinitive without ‘to’), regardless of the subject or the tense of the reporting verb.
For example, in the sentence ‘I insisted that she wait,’ ‘wait’ is in its base form because the verb ‘insisted’ requires the use of the subjunctive mood to express the demand. Even though ‘insisted’ is in the past tense, the verb that follows remains in the base form to indicate that it is a suggestion or demand, not a statement of fact.
When Is ‘Should’ Omitted in Subjunctive Constructions?
In many cases, the word ‘should’ is omitted in sentences that require the subjunctive mood, especially in formal or academic writing. The structure ‘insist that she should wait’ is not incorrect, but it is less common and more formal than simply saying ‘insist that she wait.’ The use of the base form without ‘should’ is considered more standard and concise in modern English.
The omission of ‘should’ helps to keep the sentence more direct and aligns with the traditional rules of the subjunctive, where the verb in the dependent clause remains in the base form, regardless of the tense in the main clause.
Why ‘She Should Wait’ Isn’t Correct Here
‘She should wait’ is not appropriate in this context because it would indicate a different meaning. The phrase ‘should’ expresses a recommendation or obligation, which is not the same as the sense of urgency or insistence that the subjunctive construction conveys. Using ‘she should wait’ would suggest a simple statement of recommendation or advice, rather than the demand or insistence implied by ‘I insisted.’
In English, when verbs like ‘insist’ are used, they trigger the subjunctive mood in the following clause. This ensures that the action is presented as a necessity, desire, or suggestion, without turning it into a mere recommendation. Thus, ‘she wait’ is correct, while ‘she should wait’ would be a grammatically incorrect use in this context.
Examples of Subjunctive Mood in Use
Here are a few more examples of sentences using the subjunctive mood:
- ‘I suggested that he go to the doctor.’
- ‘She recommended that they be more careful.’
- ‘It is essential that you be here on time.’
In each of these sentences, the verbs after ‘suggested,’ ‘recommended,’ and ‘essential’ are in the base form. This structure is consistent with the use of the subjunctive to express suggestions, demands, or needs.
Summary
The sentence ‘I insisted that she wait’ uses the subjunctive mood to express a demand, and this is why ‘wait’ is in its base form. In contrast, ‘she should wait’ would not be correct because it suggests a recommendation rather than a demand. Understanding when to use the subjunctive mood helps clarify when ‘should’ can be omitted, and why certain verb forms are used in specific contexts.
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