Subjunctive Grammar Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on the English subjunctive: the present subjunctive after verbs of demand and suggestion, the past subjunctive 'were' for unreal situations, and fixed formulaic expressions. C1 level.
This quiz checks how confidently you can apply Subjunctive at C1 level, with questions built around real forms such as arrive, be, were, may and Come rather than abstract rule statements. Each question presents a full example sentence, so you have to judge which form fits the meaning and structure correctly instead of recalling a rule in isolation.
If a question catches you out, the FAQ section below explains the underlying rule in more detail, including common mistakes learners make with this point. Reviewing the explanation immediately after an incorrect answer, then retrying the quiz on a different day, builds more durable grammar knowledge than repeating the same 12 questions back to back.
Keep building your knowledge of the subjunctive.
The Subjunctive — FAQ
What is the subjunctive in English?
The subjunctive is a verb mood used to express things that are wished for, demanded, suggested, hypothetical or contrary to fact, rather than stated as facts. In modern English it is far less common than in many other languages, but it survives in two main forms: the present subjunctive (the base form of the verb, as in 'It is essential that she arrive on time') and the past subjunctive 'were' (as in 'If I were you').
How do you form the present subjunctive?
The present subjunctive uses the base (bare infinitive) form of the verb for every person, with no -s in the third person singular and no auxiliary 'do'. So we say 'I insist that he be present' (not 'he is'), 'It is vital that she arrive on time' (not 'she arrives'), and 'We demand that they not leave' for the negative. The verb 'be' appears simply as 'be' for all persons in the present subjunctive.
When do we use the present subjunctive?
The present subjunctive is used in a 'that'-clause after verbs, adjectives and nouns expressing demand, suggestion, recommendation, request or importance — for example 'suggest', 'insist', 'recommend', 'demand', 'propose', 'require', and adjectives such as 'essential', 'important', 'vital' and 'necessary'. Examples: 'I suggest that he be present', 'It is essential that she arrive on time', 'The committee recommended that the rule be changed'.
Why do we say 'If I were you' and not 'If I was you'?
'If I were you' uses the past subjunctive of 'be', which is 'were' for all persons. We use it to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations — things that are imagined or contrary to fact. Because 'I am not you', the situation is unreal, so the subjunctive 'were' is the careful, standard choice. 'If I was you' is common in informal speech but is generally considered less correct in formal English.
What is the past subjunctive 'were' used for?
The past subjunctive 'were' is used after 'if', 'wish', 'as if', 'as though' and 'suppose' to talk about unreal or hypothetical present situations. Examples: 'I wish I were taller', 'If she were here, she would help', 'He talks as if he were the boss'. It uses 'were' for all persons, including 'I' and 'he/she/it', which is what distinguishes it from the ordinary past tense 'was'.
What are formulaic (fixed) subjunctive expressions?
Formulaic subjunctives are set phrases that have survived from older English and are used as fixed expressions. They include 'God save the Queen', 'Long live the King', 'Be that as it may', 'Come what may', 'So be it', 'Suffice it to say', 'Far be it from me' and 'Heaven forbid'. They use the base form of the verb and are learned as whole phrases rather than built from rules.
Is the subjunctive more common in British or American English?
The present (mandative) subjunctive is more strongly preserved in American English. American speakers tend to say 'I suggest that he be present', while British speakers often use 'should' instead — 'I suggest that he should be present' — or simply the ordinary present tense, 'I suggest that he is present'. Both are acceptable in British English, but the bare subjunctive is the more formal choice.
What is the difference between the subjunctive and the indicative?
The indicative is the ordinary mood used to state facts and ask questions: 'She arrives on time every day.' The subjunctive expresses non-factual ideas — wishes, demands, suggestions and hypotheses: 'It is essential that she arrive on time.' Notice the indicative 'arrives' versus the subjunctive 'arrive'. The contrast is clearest in the third person singular, where the subjunctive drops the -s.
Can you use the subjunctive in the negative?
Yes. In the present subjunctive, the negative is formed by placing 'not' directly before the base verb, without 'do' or 'does': 'We insist that he not be late', 'It is important that she not miss the meeting'. With 'be' you say 'that he not be present'. The absence of the auxiliary 'do' is one of the clearest signs that a clause is in the subjunctive mood.
Is the subjunctive disappearing from English?
The subjunctive is much rarer than it once was, and in everyday speech many speakers replace it with 'should' or the ordinary indicative. However, it has not disappeared. The mandative subjunctive remains common in formal, academic and legal English, the 'were' subjunctive survives strongly in 'if I were you' and 'I wish I were', and fixed expressions like 'come what may' keep it alive. Recognising it is useful at C1 level and above.