Subjunctive Mood

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Subjunctive Mood Subjunctive mood is the name of
a special group of verb-forms which are used to
express a wish, a purpose, a doubt, a proposal or
an unfilled obligation. A. The Past
Subjunctive This pattern is used when we are
referring to present unreal situation. In this
case, simple past
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• tense is used instead of simple present tense
• and we have to use were instead of was for
• all persons.
• It is time
• Its time we started our journey.
• Its time we went home.
• 2. It is high time
• Its high time they returned the money to me.

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3. Its about time It is about time you
started earning your living now. 4. Wish
How I wish I were a bird! She wishes she
were dead. (But she is not.) 5. If only/If If
only she knew the answer! ( But she doesnt)
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6. As if/As though He often talks to me as if
he were my father. She is running about as if
she were mad. 7. Would rather/Would sooner We
would rather she tried again tomorrow. I
would rather you came now than tomorrow.
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B. The Past Perfect Subjunctive This pattern is
used when we are referring to past unreal
situation. In this case, past perfect tense is
used instead of simple past tense. 1. Wish I
wish it had not rained yesterday. ( But it
rained! ) I wish they had come to my party.
(But they didnt )
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2. If only/If If only Peter had told me
that! (But he didnt) 3. As if/As though She
looked as if she had seen a ghost. 4. Would
rather/Would sooner I would rather you had
not gone to that party last week.
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• C. The Subjunctive Proposal
• This pattern is used to express a proposal.
• I propose that she ( should ) be elected
• chairman.
• 2. I suggest that he ( should ) be punished.
• 3. He recommended that the company ( should )
  invest in new property.
• 4. It is essential that every child ( should )
  have the same educational opportunities.

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Notes on the subjunctive proposal 1.The word
should is very often omitted. 2.It is used
after the verbs command, order, insist, demand,
request, ask, recommend, propose, suggest and
other verbs with similar meanings. 3.It is used
in the constructions It is important, vital,
essential, necessary, desirable, and other
adjectives with similar meaning.
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• D. The Subjunctive Obligation
• This construction is used to express an
  unfulfilled duty or a sensible action that was
  neglected.
• I should have taken those books back to the
• library last week.
• 2. You ought to have finished your work
  yesterday.
• 3. He could have won the match.

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4. You need not have bought so much cheese.
Cant you see there is still plenty in the
fridge? Notes on the pattern Should Ought
to Could present perfect tense Might Need