subjunctive vs infinitive

In the April issue there is an explanation about the subjunctive mood and three examples of subjunctive survival… It seems to me two of them aren’t right: in the expressions “let it be” and “may the force be with you” isn’t “be” infinitive mood (without to) after let and may? Thank you … Claudio

We have checked the grammar books on this one and we can confirm that these two phrases are in fact both examples of the subjunctive, even if the form “be” is – confusingly – the same as the infinitive. As we tried to explain, the subjunctive has largely fallen into disuse in English, but it lives on in certain standard phrases. Other English phrases containing the subjunctive include: “God save the King!” “God bless you!” “Be that as it may” and “So be it.”