Constructions¶
Useful constructions that are not part of the primary CGEL’s info packaging types.
Mandative¶
Type of declarative content clause that cannot be a main clause.
This is the most common type of subjunctives.
The term “mandative” is based on the element -mand- that you see in demand, command, mandate, and mandatory.
They demand that the decision be reversed
It is mandatory that he comply with the law
It includes a component similar to the modal auxiliary “must” (denotic modality):
They must be told immediately
A mandative clause is a declarative content clause that expresses a requirement, recommendation, demand, request, or other directive meaning. It commonly occurs after verbs, nouns, or adjectives such as insist, recommend, demand, essential, and requirement, and it typically uses the plain form of the verb:
They insisted that he leave immediately
She recommended that the report be revised
It is essential that everyone be present.
Mandative types¶
It is essential that they be told immediately (subjunctive mandative, plain form of be, unlike “they are told”)
It is essential that they should be told immediately (should mandative, modal preterite of should)
It is essential that they are told immediately (tensed mandative)
Subjunctive mandative is clearly distinct. Tensed mandative less, since it’s distinct by licensing:
I hope that they are told immediately (non mandative, “hope”, unlike “essential”, does not license mandative)
Usage¶
They demand that he relinquish his claim. (with a verb)
It is essential that she be informed immediately. (with an adjective )
The recommendation that the vote be postponed was ignored. (with a noun)
Note
Dialact
He leave
This is the overwhelming standard in American English. BR historically avoided it, but it has seen a massive resurgence in UK publishing over the last few decades and is now widely accepted and frequently used in British prose.
He should leave
This is historically the BR default. It is virtually absent from American English, where it often sounds overly formal, bureaucratic, or archaic to readers.
Rhetorical impact¶
Impact on rhetorical force and immediacy
In argumentative or philosophical writing, the syntactic structure dictates the momentum of the sentence.
The subjunctive::
Removing the auxiliary modal (should) strips the clause down to its barest components. The collision of the subject and the plain-form verb (“that he leave”) creates a sharper, more urgent rhythm. It feels authoritative, direct, and unapologetic.
The “should” mandative:
The inclusion of the modal adds a rhythmic beat and creates a structural buffer between the subject and the action. This slightly softens the mandate, making it feel more deliberative rather than strictly imperative.
Information package:
When structuring a complex argument, word economy and impact are critical. The subjunctive is syntactically tighter. Because the matrix clause already carries the necessary deontic weight (vital, imperative, demand, requirement), adding should in the subordinate clause is often rhetorically redundant.
Consider the momentum in these two variations:
It is vital that the state relinquish its monopoly on violence. (strong, direct, tightly coiled)
It is vital that the state should relinquish its monopoly on violence. (slightly dragging, redundant modality)
Optative¶
A minor category used for expressing wishes. These often feel formulaic or archaic.
Base verb in fixed expressions.
God save the Queen.
So be it.
Long live the king!
Absolute¶
An absolute construction is a non-finite clause-like supplement with its own subject.
Pattern:
[Subject + non-finite predicate], Main Clause
The meeting having ended, everyone left.
The work completed, they went home.
The weather permitting, we will proceed.
Unlike ordinary participial clauses, the subject is expressed inside the construction itself. Compare:
Reviewing the evidence, she noticed an error.(participial clause (subject = she)
The evidence reviewed, she wrote her report. (absolute construction, subject = the evidence)