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What is the Subjunctive Mood?

The subjunctive mood is a verb form that expresses wishes, demands, suggestions, and hypothetical situations rather than facts. It is one of the three main moods in English, alongside indicative and imperative, and often appears after certain phrases like 'wish that', 'demand that', or 'it is important that'.

Short answer

The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, requirements and hypothetical statements using special verb forms like 'were' and 'be'. Example: 'I wish he were here' (not 'was').

Indicative vs Subjunctive Mood

Indicative (fact)

•He is here.
•She does the work.
•I know he is late.

Subjunctive (wish/demand)

•I wish he were here.
•I demand she do the work.
•If he were late, I'd call.

Step-by-step worked examples

Complete with correct subjunctive form: 'I wish she ___ (be) here.'

The main clause is 'I wish that'. After 'wish that', use subjunctive.
Subjunctive of 'be' is 'were' (not 'was' in formal usage, though 'was' is increasingly common).
Answer: 'I wish she were here.'

Correct the sentence: 'The manager demands that he completes the report on time.'

After 'demand that', use subjunctive form of the verb.
Subjunctive form of 'complete' drops the -s: 'complete' (not 'completes').
Answer: 'The manager demands that he complete the report on time.'

Complete: 'It is essential that she ___ (attend) the meeting.'

After 'It is essential that', use the bare subjunctive form.
Bare form of 'attend' is 'attend' (not 'attends').
Answer: 'It is essential that she attend the meeting.'

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.Which sentence uses subjunctive mood correctly?

Correct answer: B. 'Were' is the past subjunctive of 'be', used in wishes and hypotheticals. 'Was' is indicative.

Q2.Complete: 'The boss insists that you ___ on time.'

Correct answer: A. After 'insists that', use bare subjunctive: 'arrive' (no -s). Not 'arrives'.

Q3.What mood is: 'If I were you, I'd quit.'?

Correct answer: C. 'Were' in a hypothetical condition is subjunctive. The clause is called a subjunctive conditional.

Q4.Which is formally correct?

Correct answer: B. After 'It's crucial that', the subjunctive form is the bare infinitive: 'finish'.

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Common mistakes

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Using indicative after 'wish that': 'I wish he is here.' — Correct: Use subjunctive: 'I wish he were here.'

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Adding -s to the verb after 'demand that': 'demand that she goes.' — Correct: Use bare subjunctive: 'demand that she go.'

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Forgetting subjunctive in formal writing: 'It's important that he finishes on time.' — Correct: Use subjunctive in formal style: 'It's important that he finish on time.'

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Confusing 'were' with 'was': 'If I was him, I'd leave.' — Correct: In subjunctive: 'If I were him, I'd leave.'

FAQ

What is the subjunctive mood?

A verb form expressing wishes, demands, suggestions, and hypothetical situations. Examples: 'I wish he were here', 'I demand that she be informed'.

After 'wish that', which form?

Use subjunctive, typically past: 'I wish he were here' (past subjunctive, even about now). For the past: 'I wish he had been here.'

Is 'was' or 'were' correct after 'if'?

In formal English, 'were' is correct in hypothetical: 'If I were you.' 'Was' is increasingly used in speech but 'were' is standard in writing.

What other phrases trigger subjunctive?

'Suggest that', 'recommend that', 'it is important that', 'insist that', 'require that' — all take bare subjunctive forms.