LoginSubjunctive Mood
In this article, you'll dive into the subjunctive mood, like 'It is important that she be there'. Detailed explanations and a quiz are included to test your knowledge.
What Is Subjunctive Mood?
The subjunctive mood is a verb form in English that is used to express commands, suggestions, doubts, or hypothetical situations. By using the subjunctive mood, the speaker can convey a sense of obligation or necessity, or express ideas that are not necessarily rooted in fact.
The Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used to express demands, suggestions, and necessity in the future. It is distinguished from other moods by its distinct verb form.
Present Subjunctive: Verb Form
The verbs in present subjunctive are finite but tenseless because when using the subjunctive mood, they often change form. The main verb of a subjunctive clause is always in its base form. Here are the changes:
am/is/are → Be
You are confident. → I suggest that you be confident.
As you can see, 'are' in the declarative mood is changed to 'be' in the subjunctive mood.
has → have
She has an English degree. → I suggest she have an English degree.
'Has' in the declarative mood is changed to 'have' in the subjunctive mood.
verbs in the 3rd person singular → the '-s' is omitted
He exercises every day. → I suggest he exercise every day.
Here, the '-s' in the 3rd person singular verb 'exercises' is omitted when it's used in the subjunctive mood.
Tip!
In informal English, 'that' is commonly omitted from sentences with subjunctive mood.
It's important that they be prepared. → It's important they be prepared.
Present Subjunctive: Common Verbs
Mandative verbs commonly trigger use of the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows them. These verbs express a sense of necessity or obligation. The following is a list of some verbs that commonly need a verb in the subjunctive mood after them:
suggest
demand
recommend
order
command
insist
ask
instruct
arrange
require
Mike insisted that the price go higher.
Remember, in the subjunctive mood the verbs are not conjugated into third person singular form.
Sarah demanded that she be free.
Present Subjunctive: Common Adjectives
The following is a list of some adjectives that are commonly complemented by a verb in the subjunctive mood. These adjectives are often used in 'It is + adj + (that)' structure:
important
necessary
essential
vital
crucial
obligatory
urgent
desirable
imperative
It is important that you be there.
It is essential that he listen to me.
Tip!
In English, we normally do not encounter a negative subjunctive sentence. The subjunctive mood is usually used in an affirmative construction.
I suggest that he be early. (Not 'I suggest that he not be late.')
Alternative Structures
If you prefer not to sound formal, you can use:
a modal verb 'should'
It's important that she be there. → She should be there.
'for + pronoun/object + to-infinitive'
It's important that she be there. → It's important for her to be there.
The Past Subjunctive
To discuss unreal or improbable situations in the past, present or future, we can use the past subjunctive. Because of the non-factual nature of the ideas expressed using this structure, this use of the subjunctive mood is sometimes called irrealis mood.
Past Subjunctive: Verb Form
When talking about the present or future, the past subjunctive form of all verbs is their past simple form. The past subjunctive form of 'be' is 'were' for all persons, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. Although sometimes 'was' might be used in these structures (especially in informal contexts) the general rule of thumb is to use 'were' in all cases.
However, if we're talking about an unreal or hypothetical situation in the past, the past perfect form of the verb is used in subjunctive sentence.
I wish I could travel the world.
It's time you were compensated for your troubles.
Past Subjunctive: Triggers
The past subjunctive is used with:
Conditional type II sentences (only past simple)
If I were a parent, I would love my kid unconditionally.
Remember not to use 'was' for third and first person singular.
Conditional Type III sentences (only past perfect verbs)
If I had known you were in town, I would have made time to meet you.
'It's (about/high) time...'
It's about time you cleaned your room!
An expression used to emphasize that something should have occurred a long time ago.
The verb 'Wish'
I wish I were taller.
I wish I had given you a chance.
This expresses an unrealized wish in the past.
'If only'
If only I knew her name.
If only you had told me the truth.
'I'd rather'
Well, I'd rather you didn't smoke in here.
Used to show that you prefer to have or do one thing more than another.
I'd rather you had come later.
'As if/As though'
It's my birthday. As if you didn't know!
They have a similar meaning and are used to talk about an imaginary situation or a situation that may not be true but is likely or possible. 'As if' is more common than 'as though.'
He acted as if he had never met me.
Tip!
When discussing a situation that is probable or real, it is possible to use the present tense after 'as if/though.'
It sounds as though you're having a great time.
In this case, we mean 'You are probably having a great time.'
Review
The subjunctive mood indicates situations that are not real and are hypothetical. In addition to that, it presents suggestions, necessities, or obligations. Subjunctive clauses are distinguished by their verb forms.
Present Subjunctive
am/is/are → be | You are confident. → I suggest that you be confident. |
has → have | She has an English degree. → I suggest she have an English degree. |
verbs in 3rd person singular → the '-s' is omitted | He exercises every day. → I suggest he exercise every day. |
Past Subjunctive
was → were | I was happy. → I wish I were happy. |
conditional II type | If I were a parent, I would love my kid unconditionally. |
'It's (about/high) time...' | It's about time you cleaned your room! |
the verb 'Wish' | I wish I were taller. |
'if only' | If only I knew her name. |
'I'd rather' | Well, I'd rather you didn't smoke in here. |
'as if/though' | It's my birthday. As if you didn't know! |
Quiz:
Which sentence uses the present subjunctive correctly?
She insisted that he goes to the doctor.
She insisted that he go to the doctor.
She insisted that he will go to the doctor.
She insisted that he is going to the doctor.
Sort the words to form a sentence using the present subjunctive mood.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses the past subjunctive mood?
I wish I traveled more when I was younger.
If I was a doctor, I would help people every day.
It's about time we took action.
I recommend that you be on time.
Identify each sentence as present or past subjunctive.
If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world. | |
It's crucial that we finish the project by Friday. | |
It's about time you paid your bills! | |
I wish they had called before coming over. | |
He demanded that I be present at the event. | |
I'd rather you stayed at home tomorrow. |
Fill the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.
I suggest that we
(leave).
I wish I
(know) her name.
If I
(be) you, I would apologize immediately.
The teacher demanded that every student
(be) on time for the exam.
If you
(tell) me earlier, I could have helped.
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