The subjunctive mood is one of the three gramatical modos in English, along with the indicative mood and the imperative mood.
The present subjunctive is used for demands and suggestions. It indicates necessity, urgency or strong recommendation.
The past subjunctive is used for impossible situations and hypothetical wishes. It describes things and situations that are contrary to fact, imaginary or unreal.
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
FORM:
Bare infinitive (no –s ending for 3rd p.sg) / “Be” is used for all persons
TRIGGER WORDS:
Adjectives - Essential,
important, necessary, urgent, vital.
Nouns – Demand,
proposal, recommendation, request.
Verbs
- Demand, insist, propose, recommend,
request, suggest.
Examples:
It is essential that you be on time.
I suggest that he visit his family.
She recommended that she go on holiday.
PAST SUBJUNCTIVE
FORM:
Simple past form / “Be”: “Were” is used for all persons
TRIGGER EXPRESSIONS:
As if/as
If clauses (second
conditional)
Suppose / Supposing
Wish + clause
Examples:
She acts as if she had a lot of money .
They
wished they could go on holiday.
Suppose you were rich, what would you do?
