It is/it was + adjective + that + S + V

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

I get confused now when I see from a British Council website this sentence:

It is vital that the employer pays attention to the physical setting such as

because I know that in subjunctive structure we have to keep the verb in bare form, namely, pay.

The sentence above is grammatically correct or wrong? Please help explain this.

Thanks

2

This is totally correct. Employer is singular noun, so the verb must be “pays”

3

“It is vital/ important / desirable / essential / imperative that the employer pays attention to …”

These adjectives (used to express opinions and feelings) could be followed by a that-clause with should + infinitive or with present, past or subjunctive form verbs. What we have here is not a subjunctive, but simple present.