Verb Mood Study Guide
What Is the Subjunctive Mood? (with Examples)
The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to express a wish, a suggestion, a command, or a condition
that is contrary to fact.
The form of a verb in the subjunctive mood may differ from the form with the same subject which is not
in the subjunctive mood. For example:
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)
Examples of the Subjunctive Mood
Here are some examples of verbs in the subjunctive mood:
I wish it were still in use.

(it was becomes it were)
The board recommended that the motion be passed immediately.

(motion is passed becomes motion be passed)
She suggests that Mark work full time from Saturday.

(Mark works becomes Mark work)
He said it was essential that Johan guard the box.

(Johan guards becomes Johan guard)
It is imperative that the game begin at once.

(game begins becomes game begin)
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 Form
Nonsubjunctive
Example
Subjunctive
Form
Subjunctive
Example
is
He is allowed.
be
It is essential he be
allowed.
was
I was ordered.
were
If I were ordered, I'd go.
present verbs in the third person singular (i.e.,
ending s)
He cooks.
remove the s
I wish that he cook.
Verbs Which Attract the Subjunctive Mood
The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood: ask, command, demand, insist, order,
recommend, suggest, and wish.
Adjectives Which Attract the Subjunctive Mood
The following adjectives often attract the subjunctive mood: crucial, essential, important, imperative, and
necessary.
What Is Mood?
Mood is the form a verb takes to show how it is to be regarded (e.g., as a fact, a command, a wish, an
uncertainty).
There are three major moods in English:
The Indicative Mood. This states facts or asks questions. For example:

o
They are playing the guitar.
o
Are they playing the guitar?
The Imperative Mood. This expresses a command or a request. For example:

o
Play the guitar!
o
Please play the guitar.
The Subjunctive Mood. This shows a wish or doubt. For example:

o
I suggest that Lee play the guitar.
o
I propose that Lee be asked to play the guitar.
o
If I were Lee, I would play the guitar.
What Is Mood in Grammar? (with Examples)
Mood is the form a verb takes to show how it is to be regarded (e.g., as a fact, a command, a wish, an
uncertainty).
There are three moods in English:
The Indicative Mood

The Imperative Mood

The Subjunctive Mood
The Indicative Mood (with Examples)
The indicative mood states a fact or asks a question. For example:

She is driving the car.

Is she driving the car?
The Imperative Mood (with Examples)
The imperative mood expresses a command or a request. For example:

Drive the car!

Please drive the car.
The Subjunctive Mood (with Examples)
The subjunctive mood shows a wish or doubt. For example:

I suggest that she drive the car.

I propose that she be asked to drive the car.

If I were there, I would drive the car.
Mood and Sentence Type
With the exception of an imperative sentence, the sentence type gives no indication to the mood. Look at
these examples:
Mood
Sentence Type
Indicative Mood 


Imperative Mood 

Subjunctive Mood


It has arrived. (declarative sentence)
It's arrived! (exclamatory sentence)
Has it arrived? (interrogative sentence)
Please leave. (imperative sentence)
Get out! (imperative sentence and an exclamatory
sentence)
If I were there, I would. (declarative sentence)
I demand he be removed! (exclamatory sentence)
What if he were there? (interrogative sentence)