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SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Prof. Tommy Cherian
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1. What is "Mood" in Grammar?
In English, "Mood" doesn't mean happy or sad. It refers to the
attitude of the speaker. It tells us if the speaker is:
• Stating a fact (Indicative Mood): He is a doctor.
• Giving a command (Imperative Mood): Sit down!
• Talking about something imaginary, a wish, or a requirement
(Subjunctive Mood).
• Think of the Subjunctive Mood as the "Unreal" mood. It
deals with things that aren't necessarily facts yet.
2. The ‘Present’ Subjunctive
We use this when someone demands, suggests, or insists that
something be done.
The Golden Rule
In the Present Subjunctive, we always use the Base Form (V1)
of the verb, no matter what the subject is.
• No -s Form (even for He/She/It).
• No "to" before the verb.
• For the verb "to be," we use be (not am/is/are).
2. The ‘Present’ Subjunctive
We use this when someone demands, suggests, or insists that
something be done.
Structure:
Subject-1 + Verb (Demand/Suggest) + THAT + Subject-2 + Base Verb (V1)
Common Trigger Verbs:
Demand, Suggest, Recommend, Insist, Order, Propose, Advise, Request.
(Can be Past or Present)
2. The ‘Present’ Subjunctive
We use this when someone demands, suggests, or insists that something be done.
Structure:
Subject-1 + Verb (Demand/Suggest) + THAT + Subject-2 + Base Verb (V1)
Common Trigger Verbs:
Demand, Suggest, Recommend, Insist, Order, Propose, Advise, Request.
(Can be Past or Present)
• The teacher insisted that every student remain (not remains) silent.
• I suggest that he apply (not applies) for the job.
• The law demands that everyone be (not is) treated equally.
• The doctor recommended that she take (not takes) a holiday.
• It is essential that he be (not is) told the truth.
2. The Present Subjunctive
Examples:
• The manager ordered that the work be finished by evening.
• I propose that the meeting be postponed.
• She requested that he not go (not doesn't go) there.
• It is important that John study hard for the CGL exam.
• The court decreed that the prisoner be released.
Wrong vs. Correct
• Wrong: The Captain ordered that the soldier quits his post.
• Correct: The Captain ordered that the soldier quit his post.
• Explanation: Even though "soldier" is singular, "ordered"
triggers the subjunctive, requiring the base form "quit."
3. The ‘Past’ Subjunctive
We use this for hypothetical (imaginary) situations, wishes, or
things that are contrary to reality.
The Golden Rule
• For the verb "to be," we always use "WERE," regardless of
the subject (I, He, She, It, They).
• We never use "was" in this mood.
Common Structures
• If I were... (Imagining being someone else)
• I wish... (Regretting the current reality)
• As if / As though... (Comparing reality to a fantasy)
3. The ‘Past’ Subjunctive
Common Structures
• If I were... (Imagining being someone else)
• I wish... (Regretting the current reality)
• As if / As though... (Comparing reality to a fantasy)
• If I were a bird, I would fly to you. (I am not a bird).
• I wish I were the Prime Minister. (I am not).
• He talks as if he were my boss. (He is not my boss).
• If she were here, she would help us. (She is absent).
• I wish it were Sunday today. (It is not Sunday).
3. The ‘Past’ Subjunctive
• He behaves as though he were a millionaire. (He is poor).
• If it were easy, everyone would do it.
• Suppose you were the King, what would you do?
• I wish he were more polite.
• If I were you, I would accept the offer.
4. Subjunctive: The Traps
Trap 1:
The "Was" vs "Were" Trap
Question: "If he was the President, he would change the
law.“
Correction: Change "was" to "were."
In "If" clauses showing imagination, "was" is always wrong
in competitive exams.
"If he were the President, he would change the law.“
4. Subjunctive: The Traps
Trap 2:
The Singular Subject Trap
Question: "The Principal suggested that Rohan attends the
seminar.“
Correction: Change "attends" to "attend."
Because of the word "suggested," we must use V1 without -s.
"The Principal suggested that Rohan attend the seminar.“
4. Subjunctive: The Traps
Trap 3:
The "Would" Trap
Question: "I wish I would be a child again.“
Correction: "I wish I were a child again."
Indicative vs. Subjunctive
Present vs. Past Subjunctive
Let’s Check!
1. It is high time / that we / start / the work.
2. I wish / I was / a billionaire / like Elon Musk.
3. The board recommended / that the candidate /
is / rejected.
4. If I was you / I would / never forgive him.
5. He commands me / as if / I am / his servant.
6. The judge ordered / that the witness / speaks / the truth.
7. It is essential / that every citizen / pays / taxes.
8. I suggest / that she / goes / to the doctor immediately.
9. Suppose / you are / an alien / what would you do?
10. It is important / that he / be / present at the meeting.
Let’s Check!
1. It is high time / that we / start / the work.
2. I wish / I was / a billionaire / like Elon Musk.
3. The board recommended / that the candidate / is / rejected.
4. If I was you / I would / never forgive him.
5. He commands me / as if / I am / his servant.
6. The judge ordered / that the witness / speaks / the
truth.
7. It is essential / that every citizen / pays / taxes.
8. I suggest / that she / goes / to the doctor immediately.
9. Suppose / you are / an alien / what would you do?
10. It is important / that he / be / present at the meeting.
Let’s Check!
1. It is high time / that we / started / the work.
2. I wish / I was were / a billionaire / like Elon Musk.
3. The board recommended / that the candidate / is be /
rejected.
4. If I was were you / I would / never forgive him.
5. He commands me / as if / I am were / his servant.
6. The judge ordered / that the witness / speaks / the truth.
7. It is essential / that every citizen / pays / taxes.
8. I suggest / that she / goes / to the doctor immediately.
9. Suppose / you are were / an alien / what would you do?
10. It is important / that he / be / present at the meeting.
Beware!
1. It is high time / that we / started / the work.
When we use phrases like It is time, It is high time, or It is about time, we
are expressing a situation that is contrary to fact or overdue. Even though
we are talking about the present or future, we must use the Past Simple
tense in the following clause.
This is a specific use of the Subjunctive Mood, used to imply that the action
should have already happened.
Why the Past Tense?
The use of the past tense (started) functions as a "distancing" mechanism.
It indicates that the timing is not "now," but rather "past due.“
• "It is time to start" (Infinitive): Neutral; it is simply the right moment.
• "It is high time we started" (Past Subjunctive): Emphatic; we are late,
and the action is overdue.
It is time, It is high time, or It is about time,
It is time, It is high time, or It is about time,
It is time, It is high time, or It is about time,
Let’s Check!
I suggest that he should go home.
(a) goes
(b) go
(c) went
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
I suggest that he should go home.
(a) goes
(b) go
(c) went
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
If I was he, I would kill him.
(a) am
(b) were
(c) had been
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
If I was he, I would kill him.
(a) am
(b) were
(c) had been
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
I wish I knew her name.
(a) know
(b) have known
(c) No improvement
Let’s Check!
I wish I knew her name.
(a) know
(b) have known
(c) No improvement (V2 is correct for current wishes).
Let’s Check!
The doctor insisted that the patient is operated on.
(a) be
(b) was
(c) being
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
The doctor insisted that the patient is operated on.
(a) be
(b) was
(c) being
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
It is time we leave.
(a) left
(b) have left
(c) will leave
(d) No improvement
Let’s Check!
1. If I _________ (was/were) you, I wouldn't do that.
2. The boss demanded that she _________
(finish/finishes) the report.
3. I wish it _________ (was/were) not raining.
4. It is necessary that he _________ (be/is) told.
5. He acts as though he _________ (is/were) mad.
Let’s Check!
1. If I _________ (was/were) you, I wouldn't do that.
2. The boss demanded that she _________
(finish/finishes) the report.
3. I wish it _________ (was/were) not raining.
4. It is necessary that he _________ (be/is) told.
5. He acts as though he _________ (is/were) mad.
Revision
Rule 1: After Suggest, Demand, Insist, Recommend,
Order, Essential, Vital, use V1 (no -s, no -es).
Rule 2: After If, I wish, As if, As though, Suppose, use
WERE for all subjects.
Rule 3: After It is time / It is high time, use V2 (Past
Simple).
Rule 4: "Be" is the subjunctive form of "is/am/are."