After words like suggest, insist, recommend, vital, important and essential, we often use should + infinitive. It is also possible to drop should and use the bare infinitive. Note that the third person singular does not take –s in this structure.
It is also possible to use regular verb forms.
1I insisted that he ............... the offer.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "insisted that" to express a demand, "should refuse" and "refuse" are correct.
2Doctors recommend that we ............... enough sleep.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "recommend that," "should get" and "get" are correct.
3What do you suggest we ...............?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "suggest" for advice, "should do" and "do" are correct.
4He recommended that something ............... about the problem.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "recommended that" in a passive sentence, "be done" and "should be done" are correct.
5It is essential that the meeting ............... on time.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "It is essential that," "should start" and "start" are correct.
6It is essential that they ............... immediately.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "It is essential that" in a passive sentence, "be informed" and "should be informed" are correct.
7It is important that everybody ............... here on time.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "It is important that," "be" and "should be" are correct.
8I insisted that he ............... for his mistake.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "insisted that" to express a demand, "apologize" and "should apologize" are correct.
9She got a raise. I suggested that she ............... into a better home.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "suggested that" for advice, "should move" and "move" are correct.
10We don't have any vacancies at the moment. If the situation ..............., we will contact you.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
In this conditional sentence, "changes" and the more formal "should change" are correct.
11Dad suggested that I ............... another job.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "suggested that" for advice, "find" and "should find" are correct.
12It is vital that the work ............... on time.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "It is vital that" in a passive sentence, "be completed" and "should be completed" are correct.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- I insisted that he should refuse / refuse the offer.
- Doctors recommend that we should get / get enough sleep.
- What do you suggest we should do / do?
- He recommended that something be done / should be done about the problem.
- It is essential that the meeting should start / start on time.
- It is essential that they be informed / should be informed immediately.
- It is important that everybody be / should be here on time.
- I insisted that he apologize / should apologize for his mistake.
- She got a raise. I suggested that she should move / move into a better home.
- We don’t have any vacancies at the moment. If the situation changes / should change, we will contact you.
- Dad suggested that I find / should find another job.
- It is vital that the work be completed / should be completed on time.

