THOSE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS?

Read the passage and underline the sentences containing any of the verbs or adjectives below, then make
questions based on those sentences.

Advise / ask / demand / insist / prefer / propose / recommend / request / suggest / urge
It is best / crucial / desirable / essential / imperative / important / recommended / urgent / vital / necessary (that)

Example: What does the mother say is important that she keep?

An American woman in her forties visits her elderly mother’s doctor for advice about dealing with her mother’s
problems and demands. Here is their conversation:
Woman: I’m at my wit’s end. Mom is driving me crazy. She insists I come over and help her at a moment’s notice.
She says she’s not getting enough exercise, but when I suggest she go out with me and take a walk, she gets
angry. She’s been living in her own house since Dad died, and it’s gotten to be too much for her. Actually, I think
she should sell that house. Had I known how things were going to turn out, I would have recommended she sell it
a long time ago. I don’t know what to do. It almost seems as if she’s become the child and I’ve become the parent.
You’ve known her for a long time. What would you recommend?
Doctor: Well, what if she moved in with you and your husband? Would that work?
Woman: I don’t think so. I love her dearly, but my husband and I have our life too. She’s always said it’s important
for her to keep her independence. But what other options are there? What would be best for her? I’d rather she not
go into a nursing home. I’ve heard some pretty bad things about them.
Doctor: Well, there are good nursing homes and bad ones, but she’s still quite healthy and doesn’t need to go into
one. My impression is that she’s pretty social. If so, I’d say she needs a situation where she can have contact with
people her own age.
Woman: Yes. She’s always complaining about how lonely she is. I know it’s important that she have friends, but
she can’t get out and make them on her own, and I can’t do it for her.
Doctor: Then I’d propose you find a retirement center or an assisted living center. Otherwise, the problem will just
get worse.
Woman: What’s the difference between the two?
Doctor: Retirement centers are for people who are still active and can basically take care of themselves. They
provide a lot of social activities, along with meals and other benefits. Assisted living is for people who can still
function to some degree but need assistance with movement, taking medications, and the like. Actually, some
facilities are both retirement center and assisted living center. I know of several good ones. I’d recommend you
look into them.
Woman: Aren’t those places pretty expensive?
Doctor: Yes, they are, but sometimes they’re the best alternative.

Make questions using the adjectives and verbs mentioned above (Also write their corresponding answers):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
PRESENT SUBJUNTIVE

The subjunctive is a special verb form in English used to express something desired or imagine. The form is
the infinitive without “to” and it is used after certain verbs and expressions.

USED
After the following verbs of suggestion or advice:
Ask (that), command (that), demand (that), insist (that),
propose (that), recommend (that), request (that), etc.
In a that-clause after the following adjectives of
importance: It’s best (that), it’s crucial (that), it’s
desirable (that), it’s essential (that), it’s important (that),
it’s necessary (that), it’s a good idea (that), etc…
EXAMPLES
I recommend that he come early tonight.
I suggest that you not try that particular job.
I insist that she stay another night.
It’s better he leave before noon.
It’s crucial we find a good mechanic.
It’s important they meet us at the airport.

PRACTICE I advise/ask/command/instruct/request/
Complete the sentences with the present subjunctive. require/warn
Note that these reporting verbs do not
Be dress drive feed fire require “should” or a “that-clause” and
Go pay speak stay watch are normally used instead with a simple
1. It’s important that she ________________ the dog every day. infinitive. The issue of whether to use the
2. I insist you ________________ on time for the meeting. subjunctive or not with these verbs does
3. It’s essential that he ______________ carefully. The roads here are not then arise.
quite dangerous.
4. It’s a bad idea that she ______________ television every night. Consider the following:
5. All I ask is that he ________________ a bit more slowly so that I can
understand him.  Her mother advised them to be
6. It’s recommended that he _______________ smart for the job home by ten o’ clock.
interview.  They required me to clean the
7. I suggest she _______________ shopping at the market because the house every Saturday.
food is fresher.  You asked me to let you know
8. It’s better he _______________ the night because it’s too late to go how much it would cost.
home.  I warned him not to swim where
9. The captain demanded the soldier _______________ his gun. there were dangerous currents.
10. It’s necessary he _______________ in cash only.

PRACTICE II

Your friend’s sister is coming to visit your city and your friend asks for your advice. Complete the sentences
with your own ideas using the subjunctive or “should + bare infinitive”

1. It can get very cold in the evenings. It’s a good idea that your sister …
2. The restaurants are very expensive here. I recommend she …
3. There are a few dangerous museums. I suggest she …
4. There are lots of interesting museums. I suggest she …
5. The hotels are quite expensive. I recommend she …
6. Not many people speak English here. It’s important that she …
7. The local ice-cream is fantastic. I insist she …
8. People prefer cash here, so it’s necessary that she …
9. The tap water is not suitable for drinking. It’s better that she …
10. The nightlife is excellent. I recommend she …