What Is the Subjunctive in English?
The subjunctive is a verb mood used to express wishes, hypothetical situations, recommendations, and things that are not necessarily real or certain. Unlike the indicative mood, which describes facts, the subjunctive deals with possibilities and imagination. It may seem rare in English, but it appears more often than you think.
Simple Examples to Get Started
- I suggest that he be on time. (not ‘is’)
- She wished she were taller. (not ‘was’)
- It is important that they arrive early. (not ‘arrives’)
Notice how the verb form changes slightly. That is the subjunctive at work!
The Main Uses of the Subjunctive in English
The subjunctive in English appears in a few key situations. Let us explore the most common ones.
1. The Present Subjunctive (Base Form)
The present subjunctive uses the base form of the verb for all subjects, including he, she, and it. This is different from the normal present simple, where we add an ‘s’ for the third person singular.
- The doctor recommends that she drink more water.
- It is essential that everyone be present.
- We ask that he submit the form today.
This form is commonly used after verbs of suggestion, recommendation, or requirement, such as: suggest, recommend, insist, demand, ask, require.
2. The Past Subjunctive (Were for All Subjects)
In hypothetical or unreal situations, English uses ‘were’ for all subjects, even ‘I’, ‘he’, or ‘she’. This is a very classic feature of the subjunctive.
- If I were you, I would study more.
- She acts as if she were the boss.
- I wish he were here with us.
This use often follows ‘if’, ‘wish’, ‘as if’, and ‘as though’.
3. Fixed Expressions and Formulas
Some common English phrases are actually subjunctive forms that have become fixed expressions over time.
- God save the King!
- Long live the Queen!
- Be that as it may…
- Heaven forbid!
These are not random phrases. They are historical uses of the subjunctive that have survived in modern English.
Why the Subjunctive Matters in English
You might be wondering: ‘Do I really need to learn this?’ The answer is yes, especially if you want to write or speak in a formal or professional context.
Using the subjunctive correctly shows that you have a strong command of English grammar. It is especially important in academic writing, business communication, and formal speech. Many native speakers also use it naturally in everyday language without even realising it.
Knowing the subjunctive also helps you understand written English more clearly, especially in literature, legal documents, and formal reports.
Comparing with Other Languages
If you speak French or Spanish, you are probably already familiar with the subjunctive. However, there are some key differences.
| Feature | French | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| How common is it? | Very common | Very common | Less common, but exists |
| Special verb endings? | Yes (mange, aille…) | Yes (hable, coma…) | No special endings (uses base form) |
| Used after ‘que’ / ‘that’? | Yes (Il faut que tu viennes) | Yes (Es importante que vengas) | Yes (It is important that you come) |
| ‘Were’ for all subjects? | No | No | Yes (If I were, If she were…) |
In French and Spanish, the subjunctive has distinct verb endings for each person. In English, it is much simpler: you mostly just use the base form of the verb, with ‘were’ being the main exception.
A Complete Example in Context
Here is a short paragraph that uses the subjunctive naturally:
‘The manager insisted that every employee be informed about the new policy. She also recommended that the team attend the training session. If she were in charge of scheduling, she would make it mandatory for everyone.’
Let us break this down:
- ‘be informed’ – present subjunctive after ‘insisted that’
- ‘attend’ – present subjunctive after ‘recommended that’
- ‘were’ – past subjunctive used in a hypothetical ‘if’ clause
Key Points to Remember
- The subjunctive in English is used for wishes, hypothetical situations, and formal recommendations.
- The present subjunctive uses the base form of the verb for all subjects, including ‘he’, ‘she’, and ‘it’.
- The past subjunctive uses ‘were’ for all subjects in unreal or hypothetical situations.
- It is commonly triggered by verbs like suggest, recommend, insist, require, and ask.
- Some fixed expressions in English are actually ancient subjunctive forms.
- Compared to French and Spanish, the English subjunctive is simpler in form but still important to know.
Do not be afraid of the subjunctive. Once you recognise the patterns, you will start noticing it everywhere in English!
Sources
- Quirk, R., Greenbaum, S., Leech, G., & Svartvik, J. (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. Longman.
- Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. (2002). The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge University Press.