Present Subjunctive

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The form is called the present subjunctive because it resembles the present 
indicative in form, not because it need refer to the present time. In fact this 
form can equally well be used in sentences referring to past, future or 
hypothetical time (the time frame is normally expressed in the verb of the 
main clause). 
Examples: 
 I insist (that) he leave now. 
 We asked that it be done yesterday. 
 It might be desirable that you not publish the story. 
 I support the recommendation that they not be punished. 
 I braked in order that the car stay on the road. 
 That he appear in court is a necessary condition for his being granted 
bail. 
 Your purpose, then, plainly stated, is, that you will destroy the 
Government, unless you be allowed to construe and enforce the 
Constitution as you please, on all points in dispute between you and 
us. —George Haven Putnam 
 
Note that after some words both indicative and subjunctive are possible, with 
difference in meaning: 
 I insist that he is here (indicative, a forceful assertion of the fact that 
he is here) 
 I insist that he be here (subjunctive, a demand that the condition of his 
being here be fulfilled) 
 It is important that she has received appropriate training in 
preparation for her jump (indicative, a fact) 
 It is important that she have received appropriate training in 
preparation for her jump (subjunctive, a condition) 
 
Another use of the present subjunctive is in clauses with the conjunction lest, 
which generally express a potential adverse event: 
 I am running faster lest she catch me (i.e. "in order that she not catch 
me") 
 I was worried lest she catch me (i.e. "that she might catch me") 
 
The present subjunctive is occasionally found in clauses expressing a 
condition, such as If I be found guilty... (more common is am or should be). 
This usage is mostly old-fashioned or excessively formal, although it is found 
in some common fixed expressions such as if need be. Perhaps somewhat 
more common is the use after whether in the sense of "no matter whether": 
Whether they be friend or foe, we shall give them shelter. Analogous uses 
are occasionally found after other conjunctions, such as unless (and possibly 
until), whoever, wherever, etc.: I shall not do it unless I be instructed; 
Whoever he be, he shall not go unpunished. 
 
After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to 
express the idea of subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in 
British English and is most common after the verbs "SUGGEST," "RECOMMEND" 
and "INSIST." 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Haven_Putnam
 
 
 The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the 
problem. 
 Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the 
final exam. 
 
In some cases, such as after in order that, another alternative is to use may 
or (especially with past reference) might: 
 I am putting your dinner in the oven in order that it (may) keep warm. 
 He wrote it in his diary in order that he (might) remember. 
 
IMPORTANT: Notice that the subjunctive is not generally used after verbs such 
as hope and expect, or after verbs that use a different syntax, such as want 
(it is not usual to say I want that he wash up (incorrect); the typical syntax is 
I want him to wash up).