The subjunctive mood is a grammatical mood used in English and many other languages to express various degrees of doubt, possibility, necessity or hypothetical situations. In English, the subjunctive mood is not as extensively used as in some other languages, but it is still used in specific contexts.
Languages in which the subjunctive mood is notably prominent include Spanish and Italian in which it is a crucial aspect of grammar and used regularly in daily communication. Portuguese too; French, to a lesser extent, and Greek and Russian. The Arabic language has a complex subjunctive system that is used in a wide range of situations and is essential to formal Arabic grammar.
Besides the subjunctive mood, there are two primary moods in English: the ‘indicative’ mood and the ‘imperative’ mood. Moods express different types of statements or commands.
The indicative mood
The indicative mood is the most common mood in English, used to make statements, and express facts and opinions (declarative), or to ask questions (interrogative). The indicative mood is used for straightforward, declarative sentences that convey reality and certainty. For more on types of sentence, please see this article.
- She is reading a book. (Statement of fact)
- Are you coming to the party? (Question)
The imperative mood
The imperative mood is used to give commands, make requests or offer suggestions. It is characterised by the base form of the verb (the infinitive without ‘to’), and the subject (usually ‘you’) is often understood rather than explicitly stated:
- Close the door. (Command)
- Please pass me the salt. (Request)
- Let’s go for a walk. (Suggestion)
The subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood is the mood that learners of English, both foreign and native, tend to stumble over. So, let’s look at this in more detail:
Wishes and desires
The subjunctive mood is often used to express wishes, desires or suggestions. It typically involves the base form of the verb (the infinitive without ‘to’):
- I wish she were here. (In this case, ‘were’ is the subjunctive form of the verb ‘to be.’)
- It’s important that he come to the meeting.
Commands and requests
The subjunctive mood is used in commands, requests or suggestions to express a sense of urgency or importance. It also involves the base form of the verb:
- I insist that you be quiet.
- She requested that he attend the event.
Expressions of necessity or recommendation
In formal or literary language, the subjunctive mood can be used to express necessity or recommendation. It also involves the base form of the verb:
- It is essential that they be present.
- I recommend that he study harder.
Hypothetical situations
The subjunctive mood is used to talk about hypothetical situations that may not be real or have not yet happened. It is often used with the conjunction ‘if’ to express conditions that are contrary to fact:
- If I were rich, I would travel the world. (Note: ‘were’ is the subjunctive form of ‘to be’ used for a hypothetical condition.)
For more on the conditional, please read the relevant article.
Expressions of doubt or uncertainty
The subjunctive mood can also be used to express doubt, uncertainty or disbelief:
- I find it hard to believe that he be
guilty. - It’s doubtful that she arrive on time.
Subjunctive forms for regular and irregular verbs
In most cases, regular verbs in the subjunctive mood are identical to their base forms (infinitives) without ‘to’:
- Infinitive: to go
- Subjunctive: he go, they go
Some irregular verbs have unique forms in the subjunctive mood:
- Infinitive: to be
- Subjunctive: I be, you be, he/she/it be, we be, they be
Conclusion
One of the reasons that both foreign learners and English native speakers struggle with the subjunctive mood is because it is less commonly used in modern day English. In particular, in spoken English it is rarely used, and even in written English it is not always taught, though it is expected in academic English and formal, written language.
In most cases, the indicative mood is used erroneously and by habit due to lack of teaching, especially in casual conversation. This is a natural part of language evolution, although the prevalence of the use of the subjunctive mood varies between different English-speaking regions. In fact, the subjunctive mood in English has been in a state of decline for several centuries. It would not be accurate to say that it is expected to die out entirely, but its use is evolving and being adapted in present day English.
In certain fixed expressions and phrases in English, we continue to use the subjunctive mood perhaps unwittingly:
- If I were you
- God bless you
- Long live the king
In spite of its decline in usage, at present, it is still valuable to understand and recognise the subjunctive mood, especially when pursuing an accurate or an academic level of English. The correct implementation of the subjunctive mood gives a speaker or a writer a tone of formality, precision and authority.
If you have any comments or questions, please do add them below.
Exercises to practise
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Börjars, Kersti, and others. Introducing English Grammar, 2nd edn (Routledge, 2010)
Burton-Roberts, Noel. Analysing Sentences: An Introduction to English Syntax, 4th edn (Routledge, 2016)
Crystal, David. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 3rd edn (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Dreyer, Benjamin. Dreyer’s English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style (Penguin Random House, 2020)
Gwynne, N. M. Gwynne’s Grammar: The Ultimate Introduction to Grammar and the Writing of Good English (Ebury Press/Random House, 2013)
Heffer, Simon. Strictly English: The Correct Way to Write and Why it Matters (Windmill Books/Random House, 2010)
Hewings, Martin, and others. Cambridge English Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
Hickey, Raymond. Standards of English: Codified Varieties Around the World (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
Huddleston, Rodney, and others. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language (Cambridge University Press, 2002)
Parrott, Martin. Grammar for English Language Teachers, 2nd edn (Cambridge University Press, 2011)
Quirk, Randolph, and others. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language, reprint edn (Pearson, 2011)
Seely, John. Oxford A – Z of Grammar & Punctuation (Oxford University Press, 2020)
New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Oxford University Press, 2005)