A recommendation can describe an action someone wants to happen.

The idea

After suggest, demand, recommend or essential, formal English can use that plus a subject and the base verb, including be. British English also often uses should plus the base verb.

Examples

  • The nurse recommended that he rest.
  • The guide requested that we stay together.
  • It is essential that the door be locked.
  • The committee insisted that the report include costs.
  • They suggested that she not drive at night.
  • The coach demanded that every player arrive early.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not add -s to the verb after a singular subject in this construction. A factual use of insist can instead take ordinary tense.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option. The editor requested that Lina ___ the title. (change / changes)

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    change

    change stays in the base form after the request.

  2. Choose the correct option. It is vital that the lights ___ off. (be / are)

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    be

    be is the base form even with plural lights.

  3. Choose the correct option. The doctor advised that he ___ lift the box. (not / does not)

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    not

    not precedes the base verb in the negative clause.

Use it today

Write a recommendation and an essential condition about a shared space.