1. The present subjunctive is used in exclamations. Such exclamations often express a wish or hope, sometimes involving supernatural powers:
- Long live the King!
- suffice it to say.
- Heaven forbid.
- Perish the thought.
- (God) bless you!
- Come what may.
A very important phrase to remember is if need be, which means "if it is necessary":
- If need be we can always bring another car.
2. Another example of present subjunctive is in poetry. It's used either to express a wish or in clauses of condition or concession:
- STEVENSON: Fair the day shine as it shone in my childhood. (May the day shine/I hope it will shine.)
- BYRON: Though the heart be still as loving . . . (though the heart is)
3. Certain verbs (e.g. recommend, propose, vote, suggest, urge, ) are followed by should + infinitive.
Note that when the infinitive is be, then the should is often omitted like in the examples below:
- He demanded that the prisoner (should) be discharged.
- She recommended that he go and have a nap.
The infinitive thus left alone becomes a subjunctive.