We recommend that she rest: the subjunctive

What you'll be able to do

Write formal recommendations, policies, reports and requirements, and understand official and legal English.

The pattern

After verbs and expressions of recommending, requiring and insisting, formal English uses the base form of the verb for every person (no -s, no past tense):

• The doctor recommended that she rest for a week.base form rest
• We insist that every visitor sign in.base form sign
• It is essential that he be informed immediately.be, not is
• The committee suggested that the meeting be postponed.be, not was

Common triggers: recommend, suggest, insist, demand, request, propose, ask + that; it is essential / vital / important / crucial that.

British English

British English often uses should + base form instead, and in informal speech even the ordinary present (she rests). Both the subjunctive and should are correct everywhere:

• The doctor recommended that she should rest.also correct, common in British English

Negative

not + base form, with no do: We recommend that he not travel alone.

Common mistakes

• It is essential that he is informed. In formal English: that he be informed (or should be informed).
• We recommend that he doesn't travel. → that he not travel (or should not travel).
• We recommend him to rest. Recommend doesn't take someone to: We recommend that he rest.