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
🔹 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
The verb after the second subject remains in the base form, even when the subject is singular.
Important Rule: Do Not Add -s or -es
❌ 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.
“Should” after Verbs of Suggestion, Recommendation, etc.
In British English, should + base verb is commonly used after verbs such as suggest, recommend, advise, insist, demand, propose, etc.
Structure:
suggest/recommend/etc. + that + subject + should + base verb
✔ I suggested that he should come on time.
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
❌ The manager requested that I was present.
✔ The manager requested that I be present.
❌ It is essential that every student is prepared.
✔ It is essential that every student be prepared
Signal Words for the Subjunctive
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
🔹 Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used to express:
- unreal situations
- hypothetical situations
- imaginary situations
- strong wishes or regrets
- unlikely conditions
- preferences
Note: A key feature of the past subjunctive is the use of 'were'.
Uses of the Past Subjunctive
1️⃣ 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
It is time you applied for the job.
2️⃣ If Only / I Wish / Would That
These expressions are used to express strong wishes, regrets, or unreal desires.
If only she were here now!
I wish I were a king.
Would that he were rich!
3️⃣ 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
If I were you, I would help him.
4️⃣ 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
I would rather he called me.
Meaning:
The speaker is expressing a preference about what another person should do.
5️⃣ 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.
She cries as if she were mad.
She acts as though she owned the company.
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
❌ The teacher suggests that she works hard.
✔ The teacher suggests that she work hard.
❌ If I was you, I would accept the offer.
✔ If I were you, I would accept the offer.
❌ She insisted that he left immediately.
✔ She insisted that he leave immediately.
❌ I wish he will come today.
✔ I wish he came today.
❌ She cries as if she was mad.
✔ She cries as if she were mad.