What is Subjunctive Mood in English Grammar?

The subjunctive mood often sparks curiosity and confusion among learners. While it may not be as commonly used as the indicative or imperative moods, its role is crucial in expressing wishes, hypotheticals, demands, and conditions that are contrary to fact. Moreover, the subjunctive mood is one of the six grammatical moods in English. As you continue reading this blog post, you will get to explore what the subjunctive mood is, how it functions, and provide examples to illustrate its use.

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What is Subjunctive Mood in English Grammar?

The subjunctive mood is a grammatical mood used to express situations that are not necessarily real or factual. It conveys a sense of uncertainty, desire, necessity, or hypothetical scenarios. Unlike the indicative mood, which states facts or asks questions, the subjunctive mood deals with what could be rather than what is.

Also Read: What is mood in English Grammar?

Key Features of Subjunctive Mood

1. Wishes and Desires: The subjunctive is often used to express wishes or desires that are not currently true.

Example: I wish it were summer all year round.

2. Hypothetical Situations: It can describe situations that are contrary to reality or unlikely to happen.

Example: If I were a bird, I would fly across the ocean.

3. Demands and Recommendations: The subjunctive is used after certain verbs and adjectives that express necessity, urgency, or importance.

Example: It is essential that she be present at the meeting.

4. Formality: The subjunctive mood tends to appear more in formal writing and speech than in casual conversation.

Also Read: Tenses Cheat Sheet to Help You Learn English Easily

Forms of Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood has distinct forms depending on whether it is used in present or past contexts:

Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is formed using the base form of the verb (the infinitive without “to”). It does not change according to the subject.

Example:

• It is important that he study for his exams.
• I suggest that they arrive early.

Past Subjunctive

The past subjunctive is most commonly represented by the verb “to be,” which takes the form “were” for all subjects. This form expresses hypothetical situations.

Example:

• If she were here, she would know what to do.
• I wish I were taller.

Take a look at this table on subjunctive mood where we have explained with structure examples for better understanding.

Mood	Structure	Present Tense Example	Past Tense Example	Present Perfect Tense Example
Past	Base form of the verb (except to be) for all persons, be for to be	It’s essential that he be here on time.	I wish she were more understanding.	It’s imperative that we have finished our work earlier.
		I suggest that he study for the exam.	If only they listened to my advice earlier.	I demand that he have completed the project.
Present	Were for to be, past tense form of the verb for other verbs	If I am you, I would apologise.	She spoke as if she saw a ghost.	It’s important that she have submitted her report.

Also Read: What are Conditional Sentences in English Grammar?

20 Examples of Subjunctive Mood in English

The subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes, demands, suggestions, or unreal conditions. Here are 20 examples:

Wishes & Hypothetical Situations	Demands, Suggestions, & Necessity
I wish I were taller.	It is important that he be on time.
If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.	The teacher insists that she submit the assignment today.
She speaks as if she knew everything.	I suggest that he speak to the manager.
If he were more careful, he wouldn’t have lost his phone.	The doctor recommended that she rest for a few days.
I wish she had studied harder for the exam.	It is necessary that everyone follow the rules.
If only he were here to help us.	The company demands that all employees be present at the meeting.
I wish it would stop raining.	The law requires that he pay the fine.
If she had listened, she wouldn’t be in trouble now.	I request that she be given another chance.
He talks as though he were the boss.	The judge ordered that he be released immediately.
If I had known, I would have helped you.	It is essential that she not forget her passport.

Also Read: Active and Passive Voice: Rules, Examples & Exercise

Common Phrases Using the Subjunctive Mood

Here are some common phrases using the subjunctive mood, which express wishes, hypothetical situations, suggestions, or demands:

Wishes & Hypothetical Situations

1. I wish I were (rich/taller/smarter).
2. If I were you, I would (apologise/go for it/wait).
3. If only she were here.
4. I wish it were summer already.
5. He acts as though he knew everything.
6. If he had studied, he would have passed.
7. It’s high time we left.
8. I would rather she stayed at home.
9. If she were in my place, she’d understand.
10. Suppose he were the president, what would he do?

Suggestions, Demands & Necessity

1. It is important that she be on time.
2. The teacher insists that he submit his assignment.
3. The doctor recommends that she rest for a few days.
4. I suggest that he speak to his manager.
5. The company requires that all employees be vaccinated.
6. The judge ordered that he be released immediately.
7. It is crucial that the report be finished by Monday.
8. The law demands that everyone pay their taxes.
9. She requested that he be given another chance.
10. The committee proposes that the rule be changed.

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