The subjunctive is a grammatical mood — a way of marking that a verb expresses something not as a simple fact, but as something wished for, demanded, suggested, or imagined. In English the subjunctive has largely faded, surviving mostly in formal writing, fixed phrases, and a few productive patterns. Recognising it and using it correctly is a clear marker of advanced, C1-level command of English.
Unlike the indicative mood, which states facts (he goes to work), the subjunctive expresses non-real or desired situations (I insist that he go to work). The crucial difference appears in the third person singular: the subjunctive drops the usual -s ending, so we say that he go rather than that he goes.
The Two Main Subjunctives
Modern English has two surviving subjunctive forms, each with its own use and shape.
| Form | Shape | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Present (mandative) subjunctive | Base form of the verb for all persons: be, go, have |
After verbs/adjectives of demand, suggestion or importance: I suggest he go |
| Past (were-)subjunctive | were for all persons of be |
Hypothetical or unreal situations: If I were you, I wish it were Friday |
The Present (Mandative) Subjunctive
The present subjunctive uses the base form (infinitive without to) of the verb, regardless of subject. This means there is no -s in the third person singular, and the verb be stays as be.
- The committee recommends that she be promoted. (not: that she is promoted)
- They demanded that he leave immediately. (not: that he leaves)
- It is essential that every student submit the form. (not: submits)
This pattern is called the mandative subjunctive because it follows expressions of demand, request, recommendation and necessity. It appears in a that-clause after certain triggering verbs, nouns and adjectives.
Verbs that trigger the subjunctive
Common triggers include suggest, recommend, demand, insist, request, propose, require, urge, ask, order and advise:
- I suggest that he go to the doctor.
- The doctor insisted that she rest for a week.
- We recommend that the report be reviewed by Friday.
- The teacher requested that no one speak during the exam.
Adjectives and nouns that trigger the subjunctive
Adjectives of importance or necessity in the pattern It is + adjective + that also take the subjunctive: essential, important, necessary, vital, crucial, imperative, advisable, desirable. The related nouns (requirement, recommendation, suggestion, demand) do the same.
- It is vital that everyone be on time.
- It is imperative that the message reach her today.
- Their only request was that the band play quietly.
Negatives and passives: To make a subjunctive negative, place not directly before the base verb — no auxiliary do: We insist that he not be disturbed. For the passive, use be + past participle: It is essential that the door be locked.
British vs American usage
In American English, the mandative subjunctive is strongly preferred. In British English, speakers often use should + base form instead, or simply the indicative:
- American: They demanded that he leave.
- British: They demanded that he should leave. / They demanded that he left.
Both the subjunctive and the should form are correct and widely understood. In formal writing across all varieties, the bare subjunctive is the safest, most precise choice.
The Were-Subjunctive
The past subjunctive survives only in the form were, which replaces was for all subjects in hypothetical and unreal contexts. It expresses situations that are imagined, contrary to fact, or unlikely.
| Context | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Second conditional | If I were rich, I would travel. |
Imagined, unreal present situation |
| Advice (If I were you) | If I were you, I'd apologise. |
A fixed advice formula |
| Wishes | I wish it were Friday. |
Desire for an unreal present state |
| As if / as though | He talks as if he were the boss. |
An unreal comparison |
| Would rather / suppose | I'd rather he were here. |
Preference about an unreal state |
In everyday spoken English, many people say If I was you or I wish it was Friday, and this is increasingly accepted as informal. However, were remains standard in writing and in the fixed phrase If I were you, where was still sounds wrong to most ears.
Key contrast: Use was for real past facts: When I was a child, I lived in Spain. Use were for unreal present hypotheticals: If I were a child again, I would do things differently.
Fixed Subjunctive Expressions
A number of set phrases preserve the old present subjunctive. These are learned as whole units; you do not build them productively, but you should recognise the pattern (base form, no -s).
- God save the Queen / King. (not: God saves)
- Be that as it may, we must continue.
- Long live the republic!
- Come what may, I will not change my mind.
- So be it.
- Far be it from me to criticise.
- Heaven forbid that anything go wrong.
- Suffice it to say, the plan failed.
- If need be, we will work late.
- Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
Notice that each preserves a base-form verb where modern grammar would otherwise add -s or use a modal. These survivals are why the subjunctive still sounds natural and elegant in formal English.
The Subjunctive vs the Indicative
The single clearest test for the subjunctive is the third person singular. Compare these pairs and notice how the meaning shifts:
| Indicative (fact) | Subjunctive (demand/wish) |
|---|---|
He insists that she works hard. (report: she does work hard) |
He insists that she work hard. (demand: she must work hard) |
It is clear that he is honest. |
It is essential that he be honest. |
I was tired yesterday. |
I wish I were less tired. |
Some verbs, like insist and suggest, can take either mood depending on meaning: the indicative reports a fact, while the subjunctive expresses a demand or proposal.
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Choose the correct subjunctive or indicative form in context.
Cloze Dropdown
Select go, be or were to complete each gap correctly.
Complete the Sentence
Type the correct subjunctive verb after suggest, demand and insist.
Matching Pairs
Match trigger verbs with the clauses they introduce.
Unjumble
Reorder words into correct subjunctive sentences.
Flash Cards
Drill fixed subjunctive expressions and trigger words.
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Frequently Asked Questions
-s in the third person singular and be staying as be. So we say that he go, that she be told, that they arrive. For the negative, put not directly before the verb: that he not go. There is no auxiliary do in either case.that-clause. Common ones are suggest, recommend, demand, insist, request, propose, require, urge, ask, order and advise. For example: They demanded that he leave; I recommend that the form be signed. Adjectives such as essential, important, vital, crucial and imperative in the pattern It is… that trigger it too.that-clause: It is essential that every applicant provide two references. The key signal is the base-form verb with no -s in the third person singular, marking that the action is required rather than stated as a fact.-s on save, even though grammatically God is third person singular. The same pattern appears in Long live the King, Heaven forbid, Come what may and So be it. These are learned as set phrases rather than built productively.