In today’s lesson, I am going to teach you about the subjunctive. We can also say the subjunctive mood. This is an advanced grammar topic, but I’ve divided this lesson into 6 simple steps: 

1. verb forms
2. verbs
3. adjectives
4. the 2nd conditional 
5. wish 
6. set phrases 

If you’re already confused, don’t worry, I will explain everything step-by-step. 

In addition, at the end of this lesson, I have a test for you with 10 questions. Give it a try and see how you do! 

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ONE: VERB FORMS

Let’s go back to basics for just a minute. You can see that 3rd person verbs need -s or -es:

 I eat
 You eat
He eats
She eats
It eats
We eat
They eat

I do
You do
He does
She does
It does
We do
They do

Let’s look at “be” for a moment as well. You can see that “be” changes depending on the subject in the past or present:

 I am
You are
He is
She is
It is
We are
They are

 I was
You were
He was
She was
It was
We were
They were

Why is this important? Well, in the subjunctive all subjects have the same verb form:

 I eat
 you eat
he eat
she eat
it eat
we eat
they eat

 I do
 you do
he do
she do
it do
we do
they do

 I be
 you be
he be
she be
it be
we be
they be

I were
you were
he were
she were
it were
we were
they were

This might seem odd, but all of these verbs are correct when in the subjunctive mood.

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TWO: VERBS 

suggest, recommend, insist, ask, request, demand, command, order, propose

These verbs are often followed by the subjunctive. For example,

The doctor suggested that Rebecca take iron tablets. 
verb + that + subject + subjunctive verb 

The doctor suggested that Rebecca takes iron tablets.

Again, all subjects take the same verb form. We only really notice the subjunctive with the subjects he/she/it. Adding the -s or -es in the subjunctive is often considered incorrect and can be heard informally.

“That” is often optional, but it’s considered more formal to include it.

Bobby recommended that Abby watch Oppenheimer. 
verb + that + subject + subjunctive verb

Before we move on, it’s important to note that the verbs in this list can also be followed by other structures:

I recommend cooking pancakes in sunflower oil instead of butter. 
recommend + gerund

If there are other forms, why do I need the subjunctive?

✅The subjunctive is formal. 

✅You’ll usually see it in written English. 

Yes, you can absolutely use the subjunctive in spoken English, but it’s mainly used in formal environments. 

Kevin’s boss insisted that he take time off to recover from his accident. 

You might be wondering, if “insist” here is the past simple, does “take” need to be “took”? No. The tense comes with the main verb. 

Kevin’s boss will insist = future simple

Kevin’s boss has insisted = present perfect 

I’m sure Thomas will ask that Jim be his best man. 

It has been requested that Mr. Samwell leave his position voluntarily. 

The terrorists are demanding that the president grant them safe passage for their escape. 

The general has commanded that soldiers be ready for battle at dawn.

Anne has proposed that the new intern start in the sales department.

The Queen of Hearts ordered that all white roses be painted red.
This sentence is in the passive voice which is why there are two verbs.

How do we make the subjunctive negative? We just add “not” before the verb. 

Anne has proposed that the new intern not start in the sales department.

The Queen of Hearts ordered that all white roses not be painted red. 

Nouns of these verbs can also be followed by the subjunctive:

I agree with the doctor’s suggestion that Rebecca take iron tablets. 

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THREE: ADJECTIVES 

 important, vital, desirable, necessary, imperative, crucial, essential. 

These adjectives are often followed by the subjunctive.

It’s highly important that our plan remain secret. 
adjective +  that + subject + subjunctive verb 

Is it possible to say “remains”? 
You may hear this in informal settings, but it’s always best to keep the subjunctive form the way it is.

Why is it essential that I be present at the meeting? 
adjective +  that + subject + subjunctive verb 

Most teachers agree it’s desirable that students not use their phones in the classroom. 
adjective +  that + subject + subjunctive verb 

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FOUR: THE SECOND CONDITIONAL

If you are not confident with the conditionals, I recommend that you watch my two YouTube lessons on this topic. 

I also have my 61-page PDF on the conditionals. I know the conditionals is a topic many students struggle with, so I really wanted to put something together to help them.

There are over 200 example sentences with practice activities (and answers) to help you master this topic.

This is available on my store HERE.

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The second conditional is formed like this: If + past simple, would/could/might + base verb. 

If I had more time, I would read and exercise more often. 

If my sister lived near me, I could see her more often. 

It’s really important to remember that with the 2nd conditional we are speaking about the present or future.
What? The present or the future? With the past simple? Yes. 

Complete this sentence: If I had $5,000,000, I would….

This sentence really gives you the feeling of something you want now, but you don’t have.

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In the examples below, you can really see the use of the subjunctive “were”. Yes, all subjects use “were”. Informally, you may hear “was” being used.

• If I were British, I would have a British accent. 
• If my dog weren’t afraid of water, we could go swimming together.
• If Tess were here, she would know how to fix this computer issue.

 

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FIVE: WISH

Just like in the 2nd Conditional, the verb “wish” is followed by the past simple to speak about present/future desires.

I wish I had more money. 

I think Mirella wishes she weren’t here. She’d rather be at home. 

I wish you didn’t have to leave. 

Does the verb “wish” always need to be in the present? No. 

Here’s a line from A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin:

He wished he could move as sure and silent as that shadowcat, and kill as quickly. 

“Wished” is in the past simple and we still use the past form of “can” – “could”.

What’s something you wish you had? 

What’s something you wish you were? 

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SIX: SET PHRAES

God bless you. 

Shouldn’t it be “God blesses you”? Nope, this is the subjunctive. There is 1 form of the verb. 

Here are a few other examples of common set phrases in the subjunctive mood:

1. Heaven forbid: Used to express a strong hope that something will not happen.
2. Come what may: Used to express acceptance of whatever happens, regardless of the outcome.
3. If need be: Used to indicate that something may be necessary if the situation requires it.
4. Be that as it may: Used to acknowledge a point while continuing to make one’s own argument.
5. Heaven help us: Used when fearing the worst or expressing concern about a situation.
6. So be it: Used to accept a situation or decision.
7. God save the Queen/King: Used as a patriotic expression to wish long life or success to the monarch.
8. If truth be told: Used to introduce an honest or candid statement.

In conclusion, these set phrases in the subjunctive may feel a bit old-fashioned. However, it’s important to know them because you never know when you might see one.

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TEST TIME

Do you feel ready? I have 10 sentences here. Can you please choose the correct option for each sentence. 

1. Peter wanted / recommended that I switch laundry detergent to help me with my itchy skin. 
2. The captain commanded that the prisoner is / be tossed overboard. 
3. Megan is going to insist that Wes not drive / drive not home alone at night.
4. My elderly neighbor asked that the mailman avoid / avoids ringing the doorbell during her afternoon nap.
5. Residents of Greenville have asked that the monument be / is preserved as a historical landmark.
6. It will be necessary that all participants complete / will complete the safety training. 
7. If Jacob were / was my twin, we would be the same age. But, he’s two years older than me. 
8. We miss you! We wish you were / was here. 
9. I wish l know / knew how to speak Korean fluently.
10. Thank you all for attending tonight and God bless / blesses you. 

Keep scrolling down for the answers! 

Thank you very much for reading!

Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook!

See you next time! Arnel

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1. Peter wanted / recommended that I switch laundry detergent to help me with my itchy skin. 
2. The captain commanded that the prisoner is / be tossed overboard. 
3. Megan is going to insist that Wes not drive / drive not home alone at night.
4. My elderly neighbor asked that the mailman avoid / avoids ringing the doorbell during her afternoon nap.
5. Residents of Greenville have asked that the monument be / is preserved as a historical landmark.
6. It will be necessary that all participants complete / will complete the safety training. 
7. If Jacob were / was my twin, we would be the same age. But, he’s two years older than me. 
8. We miss you! We wish you were / was here. 
9. I wish l know / knew how to speak Korean fluently.
10. Thank you all for attending tonight and God bless / blesses you.