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Could someone tell me whether the following phrases are correct? It's essential that he should come - It's essential that he come.

I think that it is vital that she go to a good school.

I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow.

Answers · 4

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1. It's essential that he come. Correct. This is a correct subjunctive form, but it is fairly formal. Don't be surprised if the average English native speaker assumes it's a mistake and tries to correct it to 'that he comes'. 2. It's essential that he should come. Correct. This is a more everyday alternative to the subjunctive form above. It's a kind of 'informal subjunctive. 3. I think that it is vital that she go to a good school. Correct. As with number 1 above, it's a correct but fairly formal-sounding subjunctive. In everyday English, we tend to either go for the compromise of 'that she should go..' or simply use an indicative '..that she goes'. This avoidance ( and in most cases ignorance) of the subjunctive mood is very common, especially in British English. American English speakers are more formal in this respect, and will often use a correct subjunctive where their British counterparts use a lazy indicative. 4. I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow. Correct. We do use a subjunctive following 'I wish...' even in everyday English. Even people who have no idea what the subjunctive mood is would still instinctively use the correct form.
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It's essential that he should come = Correct It's essential that he come = It's essential that he came or it's essential that he comes (depending on context) I think that it is vital that she go to a good school. = I think that it is vital that she goes to a good school I wish I didn't have to go to work tomorrow. = Correct
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I believe they are all correct.

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