Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to express a
command, a wish, a suggestion or a condition that is contrary to fact. A
verb in the subjunctive mood may have a different form to one with the same
subject which is not in the subjunctive mood.
Examples:
 I was
in your position two years ago. (not in the
subjunctive mood)
If I were
in your position, I would do the same. (subjunctive
mood)
  
a condition contrary
to fact
The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood: ask, command,
demand, insist, order, recommend, suggest and wish.
Examples:
I wish it were still
in use. (subjunctive mood - "it
was" becomes "it were")
The board recommended that the
motion be passed immediately. (subjunctive
mood - "motion is passed" becomes "motion be passed")
She suggests
that Mark work full time from Saturday. (subjunctive
mood - "Mark works" becomes "Mark work")
The following adjectives often attract the subjunctive mood: crucial,
essential, important, imperative and necessary.
Examples:
It is imperative
that the game begin at once. (subjunctive
mood - "game begins" becomes "game begin")
Interactive example:
| He
said it was essential that Johan guard
the box.
[show me the subjunctive mood] |
Through common usage, the non-subjunctive forms of verbs are
gradually replacing the subjunctive forms. Many of the examples above sound
incorrect. In summary, the changes are:
| Non-subjunctive |
Subjunctive |
| is
(e.g., is allowed) |
be
(e.g., be allowed) |
| was
(e.g., I was ordered.) |
were
(e.g., If I were ordered,...) |
| verb
ending "s" (e.g., he cooks) |
cook
(e.g., ...that he cook...) |
See also:
Glossary of grammatical terms
|
