The Subjunctive Mood
The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
The Subjunctive Mood
An e-newsletter fan came across this sentence: If I were very lucky, I would get the chance to go. She asked, “Shouldn’t I be followed by was, not were, since I is singular?”
Let us answer that by asking you a question: Are you old enough to remember the ad jingle that began, “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener …”? These two sentences are both examples of the subjunctive mood, which refers to the expression of a hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory thought. The subjunctive mood often pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs. The subjunctive is often used in “that,” “if,” and “wish” clauses.
Examples:
She requested that he raise his hand.
If I were rich, I’d sail around the world.
He wishes he were in a position to give his employees raises.
Normally, he raise would sound terrible to us. However, in the first example above, where a request or wish is being expressed, he raise is correct. In the next two examples, a thought or wish contrary to fact is being expressed; therefore, were, which we normally think of as a plural verb, is used with singular subjects (I, he).
In general, use the past perfect tense when using the subjunctive mood with verbs besides were.
Examples:
I wish I had studied more for the test.
It would be better if you had brought the ice cream in a cooler.
Pop Quiz
Select the correct verbs in the following sentences:
1. If I was/were stronger, I would have won that race.
2. I wish he was/were able to come to the party earlier.
3. If she was/were truly your friend, she wouldn’t talk behind your back.
4. I wish I practiced/had practiced piano when I was younger.
5. If she had gone/went to the store on Saturday, she would have received a discount.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. If I were stronger, I would have won that race.
2. I wish he were able to come to the party earlier.
3. If she were truly your friend, she wouldn’t talk behind your back.
4. I wish I had practiced piano when I was younger.
5. If she had gone to the store on Saturday, she would have received a discount.
If the article or the existing discussions do not address a thought or question you have on the subject, please use the "Comment" box at the bottom of this page.
Glad you enjoyed them, Kim.
Fist of all, thanks Jane’s work, I really understood a lot about grammar. Secondly, could you explain “she requested that he raise his hand” again for me and all the people who have been still confusing the verb tenses in this sentence. Our problems are that why you used “raise”(present tense) after the verb”requested”(past tense),although we’ve already understood the principle of Subject-verb agreement that we should use the plural form rather than the single form.In other words, we can understand that “I wish I were there.” The WISH is present tense and WERE is past tense because “I” want the “be present” action happened in the past but showed not. Now we don’t understand the sentence that”she requested that he raise his hand”. Did you mean that “she” requested in the past that “he” will do “raise” in the future? Thanks a lot.
The subjunctive form of the verb raise is used after the verb “requested” because it indicates a desire or wish that had not yet become a reality. She requested that he (should) raise (subjunctive) his hand from now on. For a more detailed analysis, there are many thorough explanations of the subjunctive available online.
Hopefully this may be an easier construction rule for English subjunctive. Regular subjunctive goes back in time one tense. So “will raise” (future) goes back in time to “raise” (present). As in the example, “She requested that he raise his hand.”
Your “rule” works only in limited circumstances. Using the subjunctive mood involves choices of singular vs. plural verbs as well as tenses. How would your rule help us with examples in our post, such as:
If I was/were rich, I’d sail around the world.
He wishes he was/were in a position to give his employees raises.
It is so nice to learn from your lessons.
This part of grammar was excelent, It’s just I wanted to know. But It rested me a little doubt:. Subjunctive with verb to be, the first person (I) and third person (he/she) is always WERE? Example: I wish I were so intelligent like you. Or He wishes he were the best student in his class this year. Are these sentences ok? please I wish you corrected my mistakes.
Thanks a lot.
I neither know if the website is correct. Excuse me.
“I wish I were as intelligent as you.”
“He wishes he were the best student…”
You are correct in using the subjunctive mood.
Here’s something for which I require assurance. I am constantly running afoul of the spelling and grammar checker in Microsoft Word. Most recently, I typed this sentence [truncated here]: “… so that she might become pregnant, in keeping with his desire that she bear his child.” Microsoft is not happy with my choice of ‘bear’ and suggests ‘bears.’ I know damned well that Microsoft is wrong! My question is this: is it the subjunctive nature of the sentence which would make ‘bear’ correct, or is there some other grammatical rule operating here?
You are correct about the subjunctive nature of the sentence. In the case of your sentence, the use of “his desire” can cause the verb “bear” to have a subjunctive mood because a wish is being expressed. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs. The subjective mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal speech and writing.
What I’d like to know is the reasoning behind the use of the plural “I were” instead of the singular “I was”? Seems very arbitrary and even a bit pompous doesn’t it? Is it perhaps from a British preference (or archaic-historic usage)? Or perhaps to just keep the SM rule as simple as possible? As a student of semantics and linguistics over the last fifty years or so, the logic behind this choice has always managed to elude me. It still strikes me as just another of those committee decisions without any real basis. Could you perhaps shed some light on the matter? Thoughts?
Thanks.
You pose a very interesting question. The article on the following website might shed some light on the matter:
https://www.ceafinney.com/subjunctive/excerpts.html
Your lessons are great and so easy to follow
Thank you for the compliment!
All the examples above of the subjunctive mode refer to a person or persons. Does usage of “were” in a hypothetical sentence also apply to objects and situations?
Example:
If only one option were available which would you prefer?
Or should it be: “If only one option was available”
Thanks for your help
Yes, the usage of “were” does apply to an object as well as a person.
Example: If the firecracker were to explode, it would hurt my ears.
If only one option were available, which would you prefer?
I have a burning question and I can’t find a response to that.
Why is “it is recommended that she consult her tutor” correct and the use of “consults” is wrong? Subject-verb agreement, no?
These two sentences are both examples of the subjunctive mood, which refers to the expression of a hypothetical, wishful, imaginary, or factually contradictory thought. The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs. The subjunctive mood is often used in “that” and “if” clauses.
Examples:
She requested that he raise his hand.
If I were rich, I’d sail around the world.
Normally, he raise would sound wrong to us. However, in the example above, where a request or wish is being expressed, he raise, the subjunctive mood is correct. In the second example, a wish contrary to fact is being expressed; therefore, were, which we normally think of as a plural verb, is used with the singular subject I.
Your example sentence expresses a request, recommendation, or suggestion. The subjunctive mood is losing ground in spoken English but should still be used in formal speech and writing.
I am Brazilian and a “self-taught” English speaker. I learned English like a child learns to speak: by repetition, by comparison, by inference. And the subjunctive mood came, and still comes to me, automatically, because, in Portuguese (my native language), we use it a lot. However, as someone else has already mentioned, Microsoft is always trying to confuse me (as it does in Portuguese too and, I believe, in all other languages because of programming limitations). Thank you very much for your clarifications. They were very helpful. I have already put your address in my favorite bar. Greettings from Brazil!
Thank you, Jose. I am glad you are benefiting from our GrammarBook.com website.
Is this sentence correct? ‘I am behind your back’
If you are simply trying to let someone know where you are physically located, your sentence would be better written “I am in back of you,” or “I am behind you.” However, we also have the saying “I have your back” as a way of telling someone “I intend to show my support for you if you’re challenged.”
Shouldn’t 1 be “If I HAD BEEN stronger, I would have won that race”?
Both are correct, but mean different things. Your version means “stronger at the time of the race.” Our version means “stronger generally, then and now.”
Which are correct? why?
If I were you I wouldn’t accept the job.
I wouldn’t accept the job if I were you.
If I had time and money I could travel the world.
I could travel the world if I had time and money.
It does not matter whether the dependent clause “if I were you” starts or ends the sentence. Therefore, all of the sentences are grammatically correct. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.
If I were you, I wouldn’t accept the job.
I wouldn’t accept the job if I were you.
If I had time and money, I could travel the world.
I could travel the world if I had time and
Choose:
He prefers that she ……personally with him.
speak – speaks – is speaking- should speak
The correct word is speak because the sentence requires the subjunctive: He prefers that she [might or should] speak personally with him.
Choose
She got the full marks.She (must be-must have been) clever.
and thank you very much
Both options are grammatically correct. “Must be” indicates present tense and “must have been” indicates past tense.
Why is “be” used in these sentences?
– To you be your way and to me mine.
– Peace be on you.
– God be praised.
– Blessed be the Lord.
Your examples all indicate a wishful thought. Therefore, the subjunctive mode is used:
“Peace be on you” as opposed to the present tense “Peace is on you.”
“God be praised” as opposed to the present tense “God is praised.”
“Blessed be the Lord” as opposed to the present tense “Blessed is the Lord.”
I DONT GET IT! please explain
We are sorry to hear that you do not understand our blog. You need to submit a specific question and example in order for us to help you.
She requested that he raise his hand.
Just a question why it is “raise” rather than “raised” when we use “were” not “are” when we say, “I wish I were there.”
Thanks.
The subjunctive mood pairs singular subjects with what we usually think of as plural verbs. Normally, he raise and I were would sound wrong to us. However, because of the verbs “requested” and “wish,” the subjunctive form (he raise and I were) is required.
Thank you so much for your clear direction on the Subjunctive Mood. I was taught this rule in grade school decades ago, but never really thought much about it. Over the holidays, I read a Christmas novel on the best-seller list, and was shocked to discover multiple instances in the book that violated this principle. It made me seriously question whether I was correctly remembering my earlier grammar lessons! Fortunately, I was finally able to find your excellent website, which reconfirmed my earlier teachings. It appears that current editors and proof-readers in the publishing field are no longer being taught the basics of English grammar as part of their general education.
If the sentence indicates “present unreal” with the present tense, would the subjunctive form still be “were”?
Ex: The bees speed upward toward the glowing object as if it is their queen.
The bees speed upward toward the glowing object as if it were their queen.
Are both the sentences correct to indicate “present unreal” or only the second sentence?
Our Rule 10 of Subject-Verb Agreement says, “The word were replaces was in sentences that express a wish or are contrary to fact.” The clause in your sentence beginning with “as if” is contrary to fact.
The bees speed upward toward the glowing object as if it were their queen.
Is “I hope that he find it” correct and “If he go” as well? I ask this because I’ve seen how the subjunctive mood was used in Shakespeare’s day; and I’ve seen these constructions and similar ones used. “If he go” sounds bad, but isn’t it technically correct grammatically, since it is in the subjunctive? I found a sentence in the Bible (KJV) that was constructed similarly like that. Instead of saying “If he goes,” it says “If he go.” Also, when I look at old writings from this time, I see them use the subjunctive “be.” As in “If he be asleep…” or “Although he be nice, instead of “is.” Are these constructions of the subjunctive still correct?
You have found some interesting examples. However, “I hope that he find it” and “If he go” are incorrect because they are not in the subjunctive. The former is merely a statement of wishing and the latter is the start of a conditional clause.
The first statement in the subjunctive could be written in ways such as “If he were to find it” or “I demand that he find it.” “If he go” would be written “If he were to go.”
The examples of old writings are considered archaic today.
I wonder what’s the correct form, is it ‘praise be’ or ‘praised be’? Thanks!
If we were in the imperative mood, i.e., giving a command, we’d use “praise be”: “Praise be to him who is his brother’s keeper.”
If we were using the idea descriptively (as a participle), we’d use “praised be”: “Praised be he who is his brother’s keeper.”
I’ve been reading a novel where the author uses some strange sentence construction. I wondered if it was correct in other countries. Here is an example: “Kim was felt somewhat pleased that…” another “She was stood outside the bakery.” All the way through her book her sentences use the same format! It is a very hard and stilted read, let alone being incorrect. It is so strange that I have not been able to find anything about it being right or wrong either.
We certainly can’t blame the subjunctive mood for these sentences! It looks like poor editing to us.
The situation is: there will be a wedding taking place in the future. The sentence is: “They would have had a big cake and lots of other food”. Is this correct? What verb tense is this? Or, should it be the simple future tense: “They will have a big cake…” Thank you.
Writing “They would have had a big cake and lots of other food” is perfect conditional. It is used when talking about something that didn’t happen in the past. Since the wedding is in the future, write “They will have a big cake and lots of other food.” See our posts If I Would Have vs. If I Had and Clarifying the Conditional Tense for more information.
Can you please check the sentence example below? I hope you enlighten me on this.
I have also advised her to keep the leg elevated at rest and *she needs to reduce her body weight.*
*Is that subjunctive mood? I’m confused because it feels like a command, recommendation, something essential and important that makes it subjunctive.
If yes, then it should be *she need to reduce her body weight.*
Thanks in advance.
Your sentence is an example of inconsistent grammatical structure. Applying the principle of parallel construction, we could recast the sentence as
I have also advised her to keep the leg elevated at rest and to reduce her body weight.
You can now see that the subjunctive mood does not apply to this sentence.
Thank you for answering. I’m in transcription, typing as dictated and parallelism doesn’t exist. So when this was dictated, I was stumped. Can’t hear clearly whether that was needs or need. Thanks again!
Because you are to type as dictated, since the subjunctive mood does not apply and you can’t clearly hear the words, write she needs.
I’m having a hard time finding out about whether this particular usage of a sentence is correct. I haven’t been able to find any examples on the Internet about “If there were…” Only examples of “If he/she/it were…”
Any advice will be appreciated!
The context is this:
Person 1 has to complete 2 forms (Form 1 and Form 2) for an inspection.
Person 1 says, “I have my Form 2!”
Person 2 says, “What about Form 3?” (a hypothetical, non-existent form)
Person 1 says, “If there WERE a Form 3, it would probably be the inspection papers from Canadian Tire.”
Person 2 corrects “WERE” to “WAS”.
Is Person 1 incorrect in their usage? Is that correct subjunctive?
Thanks much!
Person 1 is correct in using the subjunctive form were. In this case, the sentence expresses a hypothetical thought using the grammatical expletive there.
Observational question.
If lyricist Sheldon Harnick had flunked English, posterity might have been stuck with…
If I was a rich man,
Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum
All day long I’d biddy biddy bum
If I was a wealthy man.
Why do we have were?
We have WERE because Tevye was subjunctively wishing! (Yes?)
Also, Sheldon did not schlof (sleep) during English class.
That is a good example of the subjunctive mood. For an entertaining look at a few examples of when lyricists have chosen not to observe strict grammar rules, see our post Pop Tunes and Grammar.
Verb forms seem to vary based on tense, number, person and mood. Any other attributes?
Other attributes are voice and aspect.