Instructions: Read, study, and learn this lesson. Then do the exercise.  When you are satisfied that you understand the lesson, take the test.

The English language has three moods:

1. The indicative, which is used for facts, opinions, and questions.

2. The imperative, which is used to give orders or advice.

3. The subjunctive, which is used in certain contexts to express wishes, request, or conditions contrary-to-fact.

Of these three moods, the subjunctive mood is most likely to cause problems for students.

Forms of the Subjunctive:

In the subjunctive mood, present-tense verbs do not change form to indicate the number and person of the subject.  Instead of changing, the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb with all subjects.

The subjunctive uses the following form: operate, employ, be, and were.

It does not use these forms of past tense: operated, employed, and was.

Forms of verb to be: am, is, are  was, were  being,  been, were

Note: This means that there is only one past tense form of be in the subjunctive mood: were.

Use the subjunctive mood in only the following contexts:

•  in that clauses following certain verbs

•  in contrary-to-fact clauses beginning with if or expressing a wish

•  in idiomatic expressions

Exercise, Lesson 36

The Subjunctive Mood

What to learn about the rules of grammar:

1. The English language has three moods: the indicative, imperative, and the subjunctive moods.

2. The subjunctive is used in certain contexts to express wishes, requests, or conditions contrary-to-fact.

3. In the subjunctive mood, present tense verbs do not change forms to indicate the number and person of the subject. Instead of changing, the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb with all subjects.

4. The subjunctive uses the following form: operate, employ, be, and were.  It does not use these forms of past tense: operated, employed, and was.

5. Use the subjunctive mood in only the following contexts:

•  in that clauses following certain verbs

•  in contrary-to-fact clauses beginning with “if” or expressing a wish

•  in idiomatic expressions              

The subjunctive is used in some special expressions:

Correct: If need be, we will work overtime to complete the job.

Correct: Come what may, we will increase our oil production.

Correct: Far be it for me to challenge the expert.

Correct: Money from lobbyists have, as it were, shifted the balance of power.

How the Subjunctive Should be Used

That Clauses:

The subjunctive is used in that clauses after words such as ask, suggest, insist, request, require, recommend, and demand.

Correct: The counselor recommended that prisoners be given classes in grammar.

Incorrect: The counselor recommended that prisoners are given classes grammar.

Correct: It is important that you be prepared for the test.

Incorrect: It is important that you are prepared the test.

Contrary- to - fact - Statements

The subjunctive is used in conditional statements that are contrary to fact, including statements that express a wish.  A conditional statement begins with a dependent if clause that presents a condition and concludes with an independent clause. The independent clause presents the effect of that condition.  If the effect is even slightly possible, use the indicative mood for the verb in the if clause.  If the effect is impossible, use the subjunctive mood (were) for the verb in the if clause.

Study the following sentences to learn how contrary-to-fact statements can cause confusion in English grammar.

• If an agreement is reached, the companies will join together. (An agreement is possible, so is was used).

• If the condition is impossible or contrary to fact, use the subjunctive mood for the verb in the if clause.

•  If I were Mike, I would buy the used car and save money. (It is impossible for me to be Mike, so were was used).

Correct: If Bill were here we could get started.  (Bill is not there, so were was used.)

Incorrect: If Bill was here we could get started.

Correct: Bill was here a few minutes ago.  (Bill was there, so was was used)

Incorrect: Bill were here a few minutes ago.

Correct: If I were you I would stay home.  (I am not you, so were was used.)

Incorrect: If I was you I would stay home.

A conditional clause beginning with “as if” is also contrary-to-fact and should be in the subjunctive mood.

Correct: The woman acted as if she were having her son’s operation.

(The woman was not having her son’s operation, so were was used.)

Incorrect: The woman acted as if she was having her son’s operation.

A wish is a condition that does not exist; therefore, it should be expressed in the subjunctive mood.

Correct: I wish I were ready for the test.

Incorrect: I wish I was ready for the test.

Correct: I was ready for the test.

Incorrect: I were ready for the test.

Idiomatic Expressions

The subjunctive is used in some special expressions:

Correct: If need be, we will work overtime to complete the job.

Correct: Come what may, we will increase our oil production.

Correct: Far be it for me to challenge the expert.

Correct: Money from lobbyists has, as it were, shifted the balance of power.

Exercise, Lesson 36

What to learn about the subjunctive usage:

1. The subjunctive is used in “that” clauses after words such as ask, suggest, insist, request, require, recommend, and demand.

2. The subjunctive is used in conditional statements that are contrary to fact, including statements that express a wish.

3. If the effect is even slightly possible, use the indicative mood for the verb in the if clause.  If the effect is impossible, use the subjunctive mood for the verb (were) in the if clause .

4. A conditional clause beginning with “as if” is also contrary-to-fact and should be in the subjunctive mood.

5. A wish is a condition that does not exist; therefore, it should be expressed in the subjunctive mood.

Lesson 36, Test

1. What are the three moods found in the English language?

2. How are the moods of the language used?

3. Which mood is likely to cause problems?

4. How does the subjunctive mood indicate number?

5. How many pass tense forms are there in the subjunctive mood?

6. How is the subjunctive used in a “that” clause?

7. Write two sentences using “that” clauses.

8. How are subjunctives used in contrary-to-fact statements?

9. Write two sentences using contrary-to-fact clauses beginning with if.

10. Write two sentences using contrary-to-fact statements.

11. What are the circumstances requiring the subjunctive mood?

12. Write five sentences using the subjunctive in special expressions.

Marking Sentences

Instructions: Copy the following sentences on a separate sheet of paper and mark the subjects, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and indirect objects, direct objects, and complements.

Marking Adverb Phrases:.

PHRASE MODIFYING A VERB:

1. The little boy in a brown shirt beat the drum wildly with a big plastic stick.

PHRASE MODIFYING AN ADVERB:

2. She ran fastest in her second race.

PHRASE MODIFYING AN ADJECTIVE:

3. We are ready for the dessert.

PHRASE MODIFYING A PARTICIPLE:

4. The woman staring at us is a detective.

COMPOUND ADVERB PHRASE:

5. My paper blew out the door and into the hall.

PHRASE WITH COMPOUND OBJECTS:

6. Should we wait for you and Henry?

INDIRECT OBJECT:

7. She gave him a sandwich. `to

COMPOUND INDIRECT OBJECT:

8. Tell Frank Lugo and me the story. `You - `to

Marking Adjective Clauses:

CLAUSE MODIFYING THE SUBJECT:

1. The man who bought our car is Mr. Murakami.

CLAUSE MODIFYING A PREDICATE NOUN:

CLAUSE MODIFYING A DIRECT OBJECT:

3. Everyone likes a friend whom he or she can trust.

CLAUSE MODIFYING AN APPOSITIVE:

4. Charles Stevens, the man who called me, is my best friend.

CLAUSE MODIFYING THE OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION:

5. I read an article by an author whose name you know.

CLAUSE INTRODUCED BY WHEN OR WHERE:

6. Have you any idea when Timmy came?

Marking Adverb Clauses:.

ONE ADVERB CLAUSE:

1. Chuck stayed until the others had left.

ADVERB CLAUSE MODIFYING A PARTICIPLE:

2. Marquis, acting as if he were upset, walked away.

TWO ADVERB CLAUSES:

3. Although I hurried, I arrived after Mrs. Bush had begun her presentation.

Marking Compound Sentences:.

COMPOUND SENTENCES:

1. The gun fired and the race started.

2. I played the drums, Sarah played the trumpet, and Drake sang to the audience.