Understanding the Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is a grammatical form used to express wishes, suggestions, demands, hypothetical situations, and statements contrary to fact. While it has largely disappeared from everyday English, it persists in certain formal contexts and fixed expressions.
What Is the Subjunctive Mood?
In English, we typically use three grammatical moods:
Imperative: Gives commands
Subjunctive: Expresses hypothetical or non-factual situations
The subjunctive mood sounds formal or even archaic to modern ears, but it’s still used in specific contexts, particularly in American English.
When to Use the Subjunctive Mood
1. Suggestions, Demands, and Recommendations
After verbs like suggest, recommend, demand, insist, request, require, propose, and command, we use the subjunctive form.
Correct: I suggest that he be present at the meeting.
Incorrect: I suggest that he is present at the meeting.
Correct: The doctor recommended that she take the medication daily.
Incorrect: The doctor recommended that she takes the medication daily.
2. Wishes and Hypothetical Situations
The subjunctive appears in constructions expressing wishes or contrary-to-fact situations, often using “were” instead of “was.”
Example: I wish I were taller. (But I’m not)
Example: If I were you, I would accept the offer.
Example: She acts as if she were the boss.
3. Expressions of Necessity or Importance
After phrases like it is essential, it is important, it is vital, it is crucial, we use the subjunctive.
Example: It is essential that every student submit their assignment on time.
Example: It is important that he arrive early.
How to Form the Subjunctive
- No “-s” ending for he/she/it
- Use “be” instead of “am/is/are”
- Use “were” for all subjects in hypothetical past situations
Present subjunctive:
They insisted that he go immediately. (not “goes”)
The law requires that she be notified. (not “is”)
Past subjunctive (hypothetical):
If I were rich, I would travel the world. (not “was”)
He wishes he were more confident. (not “was”)
Common Fixed Expressions
The subjunctive survives in several traditional phrases:
• Long live the king!
• God save the Queen!
• Be that as it may…
• Far be it from me to…
• Suffice it to say…
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