Subjunctive Mood
Subjunctive is a form or mood of verbs that helps us talk about wishes, possibility or uncertainty. To learn about this mood, start reading this article.
What Is Subjunctive Mood?
The subjunctive mood indicates situations that are unreal and hypothetical.
It also expresses a suggestion, a necessity, a possibility, a wish, or the way that you want something to be.
Subjunctive Mood: Backshift
The verbs turn to another form when it comes to the 'subjunctive mood.' This process is called a backshift. Here are the changes:
- Am/Is/Are → Be
You
As you can see, 'are' in the indicative mood is changed to 'be' in the subjunctive mood.
- has → have
She
'Has' in the indicative mood is changed to 'have' in the subjunctive mood.
- was → were
I
'Was' in the indicative mood is changed to 'were' in the subjunctive mood.
- verbs in the 3rd person singular → the '-s' is omitted
He
Here, the '-s' in the 3rd person singular verb 'exercises' is reduced when it's used in the subjunctive mood.
Tip!
In informal English, it is common to omit 'that' in sentences with subjunctive moods.
It's important
'That' is omitted in informal English.
Subjunctive Mood: Common Verbs
Let's name some verbs that usually need a subjunctive mood:
- suggest
- demand
- wish
- recommend
- order
- command
- insist
- ask
Mike
Remember, in a subjunctive mood we do not conjugate the verbs into third person singular form.
Sarah
Subjunctive Mood: Common Adjectives
Here is a list of adjectives that are commonly used in the subjunctive mood. These adjectives are often used with 'It is + adj' structure:
- important
- necessary
- essential
- vital
- crucial
It is
It is
Tip!
Normally in English, we don not usually encounter with a negative subjunctive sentence. You should use the subjunctive mood in an affirmative construction.
I suggest that he be late.')
The Present Subjunctive
a sentence in the subjunctive mood
The Present subjunctive form has the base form of the verb. It is used in formal English to show that something is important or suggested.
Below, you can see common verbs and expressions that commonly use the present subjunctive mood:
- Adjectives: important, necessary, essential, crucial ...
- Verbs: suggest, recommend, demand, insist, ask ...
Present Subjunctive Mood: Other Ways
If you do not want to be more formal and use the present subjunctive mood, you can use:
- the modal verb 'should'
It's important that she be there. → She
- 'for + pronoun/object + infinitive with to'
It's important that she be there. → It's important
The Past Subjunctive
When we want to talk about unreal or improbable situations in present or future, we can use the past subjunctive.
With the exception of the verb 'be,' the past subjunctive of all verbs is their past simple form. The verb 'be' is 'were' for all the persons.
The past subjunctive is used with:
If I
Remember not to use 'was' for third and first person singular.
- 'It's (about/high) time...' expression
It's about time you
An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago.
- The verb 'Wish'
I wish I
Was or Were?
'Was' is sometimes used in subjunctive mood, especially in informal English. But it is more correct to always use 'were' in these situations.
I wish I
- the 'If only' expression
If only I
- the 'I'd rather' expression
Well, I'd rather you
Used to show that you prefer to have or do one thing more than another.
Tip!
If you use 'would' after expressing a wish with the 'I wish...' structure, you sound more annoyed by the situation that is going on at the moment of speaking.
Here, we man leaving your clothes all over the floor is 'too annoying.'
- the 'as if/as though' expression
It's my birthday.
It is obvious that they have a similar meaning. We use 'as if' and 'as though' to talk about an imaginary situation or a situation that may not be true but that is likely or possible. 'As if' is more common than 'as though.'
Tip!
If you want to talk about a situation that is probable or real, you can use the present tense after 'as if/though.'
It sounds
In this case, we mean 'You are probably having a great time.'
Past Perfect Subjunctive
When we want to talk about wishes in the past we use the past perfect tense. This is also a hypothetical situation.
I wish I
I wish you
Review
In English grammar, mood is the way someone expresses a hypothetical situation, a wish, a demand, or a suggestion.
English Moods
| the indicative mood |
I |
| the imperative mood |
|
| the subjunctive mood |
If I |
Subjunctive Mood
The 'subjunctive mood' indicates situations that are not real and are hypothetical. In addition to that, it expresses a suggestion, a necessity, importance, a possibility, a wish, or the way you want something to be.
Present Subjunctive
| am/is/are → be |
You |
| has → have |
She |
| verbs in 3rd person singular → the '-s' is omitted |
He |
| the modal verb 'should' |
It's important that she be there. → She |
| for + pronoun/object + infinitive with to' |
It's important that she be there. → It's important for her |
Past Subjunctive
| was → were |
I |
| conditional II type sentences |
If I |
| 'It's (about/high) time...' expression |
It's about time you |
| the verb 'Wish' |
I |
| 'if only' expression |
|
| 'I'd rather' expression |
Well, I'd rather you |
| 'as if/though' expressions |
It's my birthday. As if you |
Comments
