Expressing Commands, Suggestions, Requests, and Statements of Necessity
When we express actions that we demand, suggest, or request that someone else take, or describe something that must be the case, we use the base form of the verb—that is, the infinitive form without the word to.
For example:
“He demanded that they leave the room at once.” (command)
“I recommend that she study harder next time.” (suggestion)
“I ask that the audience be completely silent during the demonstration.” (request)
“It’s necessary that we be vigilant to avoid another disaster.” (statement of necessity)
The biggest difference between the subjunctive and indicative mood in this case is that the verb does not change according to who is taking the action. For instance, it is she study, the audience be, and we be in the subjunctive, while it would be she studies, the audience is, and we are in the indicative mood.
Note that when we issue direct demands using imperative sentences (as in, “Do your homework!” or “Please close the window.”), we are no longer using the subjunctive mood—instead, we are using what’s known as the imperative mood.