Subjunctive Verbs in English
What Are Subjunctive Verbs?
Subjunctive verbs are used to talk about situations that are not presented as ordinary facts. They are commonly used to express:
- suggestions
- recommendations
- demands
- requests
- importance or necessity
- wishes
- unreal, hypothetical, or imaginary situations
- preferences
Subjunctive forms are especially common in that-clauses in formal English.
Key Idea
Subjunctive verbs show what is suggested, desired, imagined, wished for, or considered unreal—not simply what is true or certain.
Types of Subjunctive
There are two main types:
- Present Subjunctive
- Past Subjunctive
1. Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is mainly used after expressions of:
- suggestion
- recommendation
- demand
- request
- importance
- necessity
Structure
Subject + verb/expression + that + subject + base form of verb
Formula
Subject + suggest/recommend/insist/demand/etc. + that + subject + V1
The verb after the second subject remains in the base form, even when the subject is singular.
Examples
❌ The doctor suggests that the patient takes a light diet.
✔ The doctor suggests that the patient take a light diet.
❌ Our advice is that Max works hard.
✔ Our advice is that Max work hard.
❌ I wish that the peon is honest.
✔ I wish that the peon be honest.
Important Rule: Do Not Add -s or -es
In the present subjunctive, use the base form of the verb.
❌ The teacher suggested that he works hard.
✔ The teacher suggested that he work hard.
❌ She recommended that he goes home.
✔ She recommended that he go home.
❌ They demanded that he apologizes.
✔ They demanded that he apologize.
The Subjunctive Form of Be
In the present subjunctive, use be for all subjects.
- I be
- You be
- He be
- She be
- It be
- We be
- They be
Examples
✔ The manager requested that he be present.
✔ It is essential that every student be prepared.
✔ The doctor recommended that she be admitted immediately.
Common Words Used with the Present Subjunctive
1. Suggestion or Recommendation
The following words can introduce a subjunctive that-clause:
- suggest
- recommend
- ask
- insist
- propose
- demand
Examples
✔ She suggested that he study harder.
✔ I recommend that she take the course.
✔ They demanded that he leave immediately.
✔ He insisted that she apologize.
✔ We proposed that the meeting begin early.
2. Importance or Necessity
The subjunctive is also used after expressions such as:
- important
- essential
- vital
- necessary
- advisable
Structure
It + be + adjective + that + subject + base verb
Examples
✔ It is important that everyone arrive on time.
✔ It is essential that he be informed.
✔ It is vital that she follow the instructions.
✔ It is necessary that every applicant submit the form.
✔ It is advisable that he consult a doctor.
Signal Words for the Subjunctive
Expression Type Common Words
Suggestion / Demand suggest, recommend, insist, propose, demand, ask
Importance / Necessity important, essential, vital, necessary, advisable
Wish Expressions I wish, if only, would that
Unreal Conditions if, as if, as though
2. Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used to express:
- unreal situations
- hypothetical situations
- imaginary situations
- strong wishes or regrets
- unlikely conditions
- preferences
A key feature of the past subjunctive is the use of were.
Important Rule: Use Were in Formal English
In formal English, were can be used for all subjects when talking about an unreal or hypothetical situation.
✔ If I were you, I would accept the offer.
✔ If she were here, she would help us.
✔ I wish he were with us.
Uses of the Past Subjunctive
1. It Is Time / It Is High Time
Use this structure to say that something should have happened already or needs to happen now.
Structure
It is time / It is high time + subject + past form of verb
Examples
✔ It is time you applied for the job.
✔ It is high time we left.
✔ It is time they started working seriously.
Important Note
Although a past form is used, the meaning is usually connected with the present. It suggests that the action should happen now or should have happened earlier.
2. If Only / I Wish / Would That
These expressions are used to express strong wishes, regrets, or unreal desires.
Examples
✔ If only she were here now!
✔ I wish I were a king.
✔ Would that he were rich!
Structure
I wish / If only / Would that + subject + past subjunctive
3. If for Unreal or Hypothetical Conditions
The past subjunctive can be used to describe an unreal or unlikely condition.
Structure
If + subject + past form / were, subject + would + base verb
Examples
✔ If I were you, I would help him.
✔ If she were here, she would know what to do.
✔ If he worked harder, he would succeed.
4. Would Rather + Subject
Would rather can be followed by a subject and a past form when expressing a preference about another person's action.
Structure
Subject + would rather + subject + past form
Examples
✔ I would rather he called me.
✔ She would rather you stayed at home.
✔ We would rather they came tomorrow.
Meaning
The speaker is expressing a preference about what another person should do.
5. As If / As Though
As if and as though can be used to describe something that appears to be true but is unreal or imaginary.
Examples
✔ She cries as if she were mad.
✔ She acts as though she owned the company.
✔ He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Structures
For an unreal present situation
As if / As though + past form
✔ He behaves as if he knew everything.
✔ She talks as though she were the manager.
For an unreal past situation
As if / As though + past perfect
✔ He looked as if he had forgotten the answer.
✔ She acted as though she had never met him before.
Common Mistakes with Subjunctive Verbs
Mistake 1: Adding -s/-es in the Present Subjunctive
❌ The teacher suggested that he works hard.
✔ The teacher suggested that he work hard.
Rule: Always use the base form of the verb.
Mistake 2: Using Was Instead of Were in Unreal Situations
❌ If I was you, I would accept the offer.
✔ If I were you, I would accept the offer.
In formal English, use were for unreal or hypothetical situations.
Mistake 3: Using To + Verb Instead of the Base Form
❌ She insisted that he to leave immediately.
✔ She insisted that he leave immediately.
After that + subject, use the base form without to.
Mistake 4: Using Will After Wish for an Unreal Present Wish
❌ I wish he will come today.
✔ I wish he came today.
Use a past form to express an unreal or unlikely present wish.