Subjunctive Mood | Examples & Definition
The subjunctive mood is one of three verb moods in English, along with the indicative mood and imperative mood. The subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations or to express desires, wishes, suggestions, obligations, or demands.
There are two verb forms when using the subjunctive: present subjunctive and past subjunctive. Present subjunctive verbs use the base form of the verb (e.g., “do”), whereas verbs in the past subjunctive use the simple past tense form of the verb (e.g., “knew”).
I request that you save your questions for the end.
He looked as if he wanted to cry.
If Julio were here, he would be annoyed.
What is the subjunctive mood?
The subjunctive mood is a grammatical mood expressed using the subjunctive verb form. Grammatical moods indicate the speaker’s intention.
The subjunctive is used to describe unreal situations, hopes, desires (including suggestions), or necessities (obligations or demands).
The most commonly used grammatical mood in English is the indicative mood, followed by the imperative mood and then subjunctive mood.
| Grammatical mood | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Indicative | Make statements
Declare facts Ask questions Express conditions |
It is raining.
Where did you go? |
| Imperative | Give commands
Make requests |
Let’s find out.
Shut the door, please. |
| Subjunctive | Express a desire, wish, or hope
Make a suggestion Describe a hypothetical situation |
I wish I were an actor.
We ask that you silence your cell phones. |
The subjunctive mood is also used to make demands or requests. However, it is less direct and more formal than the imperative mood and therefore more polite.
British English uses the subjunctive less than American English. British English often uses “should” rather than the subjunctive form (e.g., “Zara requests that we should bring extra plates”).
Present subjunctive mood
The present subjunctive mood refers to a hypothetical situation, request, or desire in the present or future.
Sentences in the present subjunctive have a main clause in the indicative mood and a subjunctive dependent clause, which is usually introduced with the conjunction “that.” The main clause can include an indicative verb (e.g., “We expect that”) or “it is” and an adjective (e.g., “It is crucial that”).
The present subjunctive mood is formed using the base verb (or bare infinitive) regardless of the subject. The lack of subject-verb agreement is what distinguishes the subjunctive mood from the indicative mood.
My mother asks that you take your shoes off.
It is imperative that you be on time.
Pavel proposed that Rewa see Marion off at the station.
If the subject of a subjunctive verb is a personal pronoun, the subject pronoun should always be used (e.g., “I,” “they,” “we”).
- Ollie suggested me cut my hair.
- Ollie suggested I cut my hair.
Negative present subjunctive
To use the negative form of the present subjunctive mood, the adverbs “not” or “never” are placed before the subjunctive verb.
She insists you not eat alone.
Deirdre demanded that he never come back here.
Past subjunctive mood
The past subjunctive mood refers to unreal situations that cannot be changed. This type of past subjunctive mood is often found as part of second and third conditional sentences.
The past subjunctive mood uses the simple past tense verb form. A key exception to this is the auxiliary verb “be,” which traditionally becomes “were” in the past subjunctive mood. “Were” is used regardless of the subject.
When a past subjunctive form is used in a clause that begins with “that,” “if,” or “as if,” the main indicative clause usually includes a modal verb (e.g., “would,” “should”).
I wish [that] he were more patient.
What would you do if you woke up 100 years in the past?
If it were up to me, I would tell him the truth.
Subjunctive vs indicative
Subjunctive mood and conditional sentences sometimes overlap as both use dependent clauses with “if” to describe hypothetical situations.
While the subjunctive mood is used to describe situations that are unlikely or impossible, conditionals that use the indicative mood describe situations that are likely or possible.
If he was right, I didn’t find out until it was too late. [possible scenario]
“Was” is often used instead of “were” in informal speech for first- and third-person singular subjunctive clauses (e.g., “if I was you”). However, it is best to avoid this in academic writing and other formal language.
Expressions using subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood has become relatively rare in modern English, but it is still used in certain contexts and expressions, such as “Long live [noun],” “God help/save us,” and “Bless you.”
Below is a short list of some phrases that use the subjunctive mood in English.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| May + subject + base verb | I hope that this will happen | May he find whatever he is searching for.
May her soul rest in peace. |
| Be that as it may | In any case | Be that as it may, I find him rather annoying.
Be that as it may, I’m still surprised that you want to go. |
| Come what may | Whatever happens | Come what may, I’m staying right here.
Vera decided to continue working, come what may. |
| Heaven forbid | I hope this doesn’t happen | Heaven forbid they have an accident.
Heaven forbid her mother find out. |
| Suffice [it] to say | No more information is needed | Suffice to say, I didn’t go back to that restaurant.
Suffice it to say, Josep was quite angry. |
| If need be | It it is necessary | If need be, we will go home early.
Pay the extra money if need be. |
Frequently asked questions about subjunctive mood
- What is the difference between the subjunctive and indicative moods?
-
The subjunctive mood is used to express desires, wishes, suggestions, obligations, and demands or requests (e.g., “We ask that you turn off your cell phone”).
The indicative mood is used to make statements, ask questions, or describe conditions (e.g., “Piet seems nice”).
- What is the subjunctive used for?
-
The subjunctive mood is used to describe unreal or hypothetical situations and to express desires, wishes, suggestions, obligations, and requests or demands.
Some examples of sentences that use the subjunctive mood include:
“Khadija suggests that I donate money.” [request]
“It is crucial that he understand the consequences.” [obligation]
“We insist that there be enough food for everyone.” [demand]
- What is a grammatical mood?
-
Grammatical moods refer to how verbs are used to indicate the intention of a sentence or the speaker’s attitude toward what they are saying.
English has three grammatical moods:
- Indicative mood is used for statements of fact, questions, or conditions.
- Imperative mood is used to issue commands.
- Subjunctive mood is used to describe unreal situations and to express wishes, desires, suggestions, obligations, and requests or demands.
