Indicating obligation and willingness

Using the subjunctive with adjectives of obligation

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The subjunctive in fixed expressions

The subjunctive is also preserved in a few fixed expressions, such as the phrase if need be which means "if it is necessary":

East Germany's workers' militias have vowed to stop these counter-revolutionary actions for once and for all - with weapons if need be. (Microconcord Corpus A)

and in religious expressions:

God be praised! (Bank of English)

Saints preserve us! (Bank of English)

So be it! (Bank of English)

Introduction
To make or report a suggestion
To indicate strong obligation
The subjunctive in fixed expressions
Teaching implications