Subjunctive — recommend that
Reader's question: If you start a sentence with 'Someone recommends that', what form does the following verb take? For example, 'John recommends that Mary talk/talks to the supervisor.'
Online grammar answer : The correct usage is 'John recommends that Mary talk to the supervisor'. This is because the mood is subjunctive. The subjunctive is used with clauses that begin with that to express a demand, requirement, request or suggestion.
The subjunctive is not used much these days, but it still has a place in the language with sentences beginning with if, as if, as though. Its construction often uses the verbs were or would.
I wish I were you. (Instead of I wish I was you.)
If I were a millionaire, ...
If I were you, I would vote.
You can read more about the subjunctive at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#subjunctive
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