The subjunctive is a special verb form used to express things that are not simple facts. Unlike normal verb forms, the subjunctive focuses on ideas that are desired, required, or imagined, rather than real events. Read the article below and try the exercises at the bottom of the page.
| Subjunctive form | Used for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present subjunctive | suggestions, recommendations, necessity | I suggest that he go. |
| Past subjunctive | wishes, hypotheticals, unreal situations | I wish I were taller. |
These forms do not indicate time. They indicate reality vs unreality.
The subjunctive is more common in formal English, academic English, business English, American English. Informal English sometimes replaces it with normal verb forms.
Formal: It is important that he be present.
Informal: It is important that he is present.
Both are understood, but the subjunctive is more correct in formal contexts.
The Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used for commands, suggestions, and necessity.
Structure: Subject + verb (base form)
Example: I suggest that she study more.
- NOT: she studies
- BUT: she study
This is the subjunctive form.
Present Subjunctive with verbs
These verbs express suggestions, recommendations, or requirements:
suggest | recommend | advise | insist | propose | request | demand | require
Examples:
They suggested that we leave early.
She insisted that he be present.
Present Subjunctive with expressions
These expressions express importance or necessity:
It is important that | It is essential that | It is necessary that | It is vital that | It is crucial that
Examples:
It is important that she be informed.
It is essential that he arrive on time.
Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used for unreal, imaginary, or hypothetical situations. It often looks like the past simple, but the meaning is different.
Special rule with “be”: use WERE
In formal English, use were for all subjects:
- I were
- he were
- she were
- it were
Examples:
If I were rich, I would travel the world.
I wish she were here.
This is one of the clearest subjunctive forms in English.
Subjunctive in Hypothetical Situations
The subjunctive appears in hypothetical conditional sentences. It conveys that a situation is imaginary or unreal.
Structure: If + past subjunctive, would + verb
Example: If I were rich, I would travel.
Subjunctive in Wish Sentences
We use the past subjunctive after wish to express unreal situations.
Structure: Subject + wish + past subjunctive
Examples: She wishes she lived closer.
Important: The Subjunctive Is a Verb Form, Not a Tense
The subjunctive does not show time. It shows reality vs unreality.
- Present subjunctive → A real suggestion or real necessity
- Past subjunctive → unreal or hypothetical situations
Even though the past subjunctive looks like the past tense, it usually refers to the present or future. Example:
- If I were rich → imaginary present NOT past.
Exercises on The Subjunctive Mood
Present Subjunctive: Talkpal | Lingolia | EnglishPage | EnglishClub | BusinessEnglish | ToLearnEnglish | UsefulEnglish
Other Exercises: EnglishClub | UsefulEnglish | BusinessEnglishResources | MyEnglishPages | RongChang |