The board insisted that she be present (C1 Grammar)
After formal verbs that ask for something to happen (suggest, recommend, insist, demand, require, propose, request, urge), the that-part uses the base verb for every subject — no -s, no is / are. So it is "that she be" and "that he submit", even with he / she / it. For a passive, use be + the past participle: "that the report be completed". Three versions are all in use: that he submit (the bare base verb, standard in American English and in academic writing everywhere), that he should submit (the usual formal choice in British English), and that he submits (everyday). All three are formal enough for a report; the bare base verb is the safest in academic writing. Watch out: with insist and suggest the base verb changes the meaning, not just the tone. "The board insisted that she be present" is a demand; "The board insisted that she was present" reports what they claimed.
After demand-and-recommend verbs: the base verb
The committee recommended that the policy be implemented.
The board insisted that she submit her resignation by Friday.
The rules require that every applicant provide proof of identity.
Not "The committee recommended that the policy is implemented." — say "The committee recommended that the policy be implemented.". After these formal verbs, use the base verb be, not "is": that the policy be implemented.
Try it: A hospital discharge note reads: It is recommended that the patient ___ more rest before the next appointment. Which fits that formal written register? (get / gets / is getting) Answer: get — In formal written English the that-part takes the base verb for every subject: that the patient get more rest, with no -s. "Gets" is the everyday version and you will meet it in speech, but a discharge note is exactly the register that keeps the base verb. "Is getting" describes something happening right now, which is not what a recommendation states.
It is essential that ... : the base verb again
After It is + essential / vital / crucial / important / necessary / imperative + that, the that-part again uses the base verb for every subject. The form signals a formal requirement, so use follow, not "follows", and be, not "is". Like the verb pattern, the bare base verb is the American and academic default, should + base verb ("that every participant should follow") is the common British formal choice, and the everyday follows turns up in more relaxed writing. Keep the bare base verb for formal, official writing.
It is essential that every participant follow the guidelines.
It is crucial that the report be completed on time.
It is vital that each member understand the risks.
Not "It is essential that every participant follows the guidelines." — say "It is essential that every participant follow the guidelines.". Even with "every participant", use the base verb follow, not "follows".
Try it: It is imperative that the data ___ verified before the findings are published. (be / is / will be) Answer: be — After It is imperative that, the that-part uses the base verb: that the data be verified. "Is" is the everyday form, but this formal requirement pattern drops it for be. "Will be" turns it into a prediction, not the requirement the sentence is stating.
The negative: that he not resign
To make the subjunctive negative, put not straight before the base verb — with no do / does / did. So it is "insisted that he not resign", never "that he doesn't resign". For a passive, it is not be + the past participle: "recommended that the clause not be included". The negative keeps exactly the same formal register as the positive subjunctive; a plainer alternative is should not ("that he should not resign").
The board insisted that he not resign before the audit was finished.
It is essential that staff not share their passwords.
The lawyer recommended that the clause not be included in the contract.
Not "The board insisted that he doesn't resign before the audit." — say "The board insisted that he not resign before the audit.". Negate with not + base verb, never with doesn't: that he not resign.
Try it: The safety board demanded that the faulty units ___ sold until they were fixed. (not be / are not / will not be) Answer: not be — The subjunctive is negated with not before the base verb, so the passive is not be + the past participle: that the units not be sold. "Are not" is the everyday indicative, which this formal demand pattern drops. "Will not be" turns the demand into a prediction about the future.
Were for every subject in unreal situations
For an imagined or unreal situation, formal English uses were for every subject — I / he / she / it were. You will meet it after if, I wish, as if / as though, and would rather: "If I were", "I wish it were", "she acts as if she were in charge". Was ("if I was") is standard in speech and in plenty of writing, so treat this as a register choice rather than a right-and-wrong one: were is what formal writing and exams expect. Two places take were and nothing else: the fixed phrase if I were you, and the inverted form, where you drop if and put were first — "Were I in your position..." (you cannot say "Was I in your position").
If I were in charge, I would change the schedule.
I wish it were possible to start again.
He talks as if he were the only expert in the room.
Not "Was I the director, I would cancel the project." — say "Were I the director, I would cancel the project.". Once you drop if and invert, only were works. (In the ordinary if I ___ slot both are heard, and were is the formal choice.)
Try it: You are writing formal advice in a report. Which version fits that register? (If I were in your position, I would reconsider. / If I was in your position, I would reconsider. / If I am in your position, I would reconsider.) Answer: If I were in your position, I would reconsider. — Formal writing uses were for every subject in an imagined situation: If I were. "If I was" is not an error — you will hear it constantly in speech — but it reads as informal in a report, which is what this question asks for. "If I am" is the one that genuinely does not work: it treats the situation as a real present fact rather than an imagined one.