GRAMMAR1

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
A fabulous
What is MOOD?
cat
A mood is a verb form that indicates the
writer’s attitude towards their words’
contents.
Subjunctive Indicative
indicates a conveys an Imperative
hypothetical, opinion or a fact, is for issuing
a suggestion, or we can use it orders and
a requirement, to ask questions commands
a wish or
a desire… - Look at that fabulous
cat.
I wish I could look at that - That cat is fabulous. - Feed the cat before you
fabulous cat all day. - That cat has grey hair.
leave.
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What Does the Subjunctive Mood Look Like?
A subjunctive verb usually appears in a sentence with two
clauses:
- in one clause there's the subjunctive verb,
- and in the other is an indicative verb.
Example: They suggested that I visit that fabulous cat

Suggest is one of a number of verbs that frequently play

indicative partner to another verb's subjunctive use.
Others include ask, demand, recommend, require, insist, urge,
and wish.
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What Does the Subjunctive Mood Look Like?
NOTE: The subjunctive is so grammatically unobtrusive as to be hard to
notice: in most verbs it calls for a lack of inflection, so it's only noticeable
in a context that otherwise calls for inflection.
Example: - They suggested that I visit that fabulous cat.
- They suggested that she visit that fabulous cat.

=> The subjunctive mood always takes the base form (V) of

the verb. This applies to all verbs and all points of view (first-
person, second-person, and third-person).
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Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
1. suggest-verb (or noun) + that
 advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, order, prefer, propose,
recommend, request, suggest
 command, demand, order, proposal, recommendation, request, suggestion
Example
main clause that clause with subjunctive
suggest-VERB
He suggests that you   be present at the meeting.

The board recommend that he   join the company.

He requested that the car park not be locked at night.
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
1. suggest-verb (or noun) + that
 advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, order, prefer, propose,
recommend, request, suggest
 command, demand, order, proposal, recommendation, request, suggestion
Example
main clause that clause
suggest-NOUN with subjunctive
They made a suggestion that we be early.
He made a proposal that the company buy more land.
The president has issued an order that the secretary resign next month.
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
2. advisable/anxious-adjective + that
- advisable, best, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative, important,
necessary, unthinkable, urgent, vital,  
- anxious, determined, eager, keen, adamant
Example
main clause that clause
advisable-adjective with subjunctive

It is advisable that she   rest for a week.

It was essential that the army   advance rapidly.
After the landing, it will be vital that every soldier not use a radio.
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
2. advisable/anxious-adjective + that
- advisable, best, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative, important,
necessary, unthinkable, urgent, vital,  
- anxious, determined, eager, keen, adamant
Example
main clause that clause
anxious-adjective with subjunctive
Tara is anxious that you   return soon.
They are keen that he not be hurt.
We were determined that it   remain secret.
 SUBJUNTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
3.   “would rather…that”
- A request at present:  S1 + would rather that + S2 + V.inf
- She would rather that her mother cook dinner tonight.
- A request in contrary to present: S1 + would rather that + S2 + V2/ed
- Nam would rather that his classmate went to school today.
- A request in contrary to the past:S1 + would rather that + S2 + had V3/ed
- I would rather that she had gone out last night.
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures:
Exercise: find and correct mistakes in the following sentences

1. The judges order that he stays the execution.

2. We have made a request that we are disturbed.
3. It is important that a car is waiting when we arrive.
4. The manager was eager that his visitor will see the new building.
5. The board of directors recommended that he was not dismissed.
6. Have you seen my suggestion that work hours has been reduced?
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
Exercise: find and correct mistakes in the following sentences
1. The judges order that he stays the execution.
 The judges order that he stay the execution.
2. We have made a request that we are disturbed.
 We have made a request that we not\ be disturbed.
3. It is important that a car is waiting when we arrive.
 It is important that a car be waiting when we arrive.
4. The manager was eager that his visitor will see the new building.
 The manager was eager that his visitor see the new building.
5. The board of directors recommended that he was not dismissed.
 The board of directors recommended that he not be dismissed.
6. Have you seen my suggestion that work hours has been reduced?
 Have you seen my suggestion that work hours be reduced?
 SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
Use of Base Subjunctive
I. In certain THAT clauses
The base subjunctive is typically used in THAT clauses after two structures

NOTE
The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American
English than in British English, where should structures are often used:
 It was essential that we should vote the following day.
 He requested that the car park should not be locked at night.
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Use of Base Subjunctive
II. be after if
We sometimes use subjunctive be after if/whether, though this is rather formal,
especially in British English:

If that be (not) the case,

I intend to report the matter.
Whether he be   prepared or not,

“If this be error and upon me proved,

I never write, nor no man ever loved.”
William Shakespeare
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Use of Base Subjunctive

III. Fixed expressions

Note the following fixed expressions with the subjunctive:
• Bless you!
• God bless America!
• God save the Queen.
• Long live the President!
• Heaven forbid!
• Heaven help us!
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Use of Base Subjunctive
IV. WERE-Subjunctive
You can see that we sometimes use the were-subjunctive (instead of was) after: if, as if, wish,
suppose
Note that in these cases were is always correct, but was is possible in informal language
Formal with were Informal with was
I would go if I were younger. I would go if I was younger.
If he were not so mean, he would buy one. If he wasn't so mean, he would buy one.
It's not as if I were ugly. It's not as if I was ugly.
She acts as if she were the Queen. She acts as if she was the Queen.
I wish I weren't so slow! I wish I wasn't so slow!
I wish the computer were working. I wish the computer was working.
Suppose she were here. What would you say? Suppose she was here. What would you say?
I'd tell her if I were you. => We do not normally say "if I was you" even in colloquial language.
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Use of Base Subjunctive

V. Subjunctive with “It is time”

(1): Đã đến lúc phải làm gì: It is time (for somebody) to do something
- It is time for us to hang out. (Đã đến lúc chúng ta đi chơi rồi).
(2): Đã đến lúc làm gì: It is high/ about tim + S + V2/ed
- It is high time I got to the airport. (Đã đến lúc tôi phải ra sân bay)
Note: “high” và “about” are used as an emphasis.
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Practice Exercise
Exercise: Choose A or B to complete the following sentences

1. It is essential that she _____ at the meeting. A. be B. is

2. If I _____ you I would call her tonight. A. was B. were
3. It is necessary that every student _____ a uniform. A. wear B. wears
4. I hope that he _____ his homework on time. A. finish B. finishes
5. The doctors recommended that she _____ a holiday. A. take B. takes
6. The boss asks that you _____ early for your first day of work. A. are B. be
7. If he _____ feeling better we would go. A. were B. was
8. It is important that we _____ home as soon as we arrive. A. call B. called
9. The landlord requested that John ____out of the apartment. A. move B. moves
10. We want the windows _____ washed before Friday. A. be B. to be
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Practice Exercise
Exercise: Put the verbs in the brackets into correct form
1. It’s a good idea for him _________
to learn (learn) Cantonese.
suggest (suggest) that parents _________
2. We _________ help (help) their children to do
their homework.
3. I would rather that he ________
told (tell) me about his difficulties.
4. It’s about time she _________
got (get) a job.
5. It’s important that he _________
receive (receive) this file before 5 pm.
6. Quan _________
advised (advise) that we _____ try (try) samgyetang when we ______
come
(come) to Seoul.
7. Son _________
said (say) that it’s time _________
to buy (buy) a new washing
machine. best had
8. It’s _________ (best)called
that we _________ (have) our foods now.
9. It’s high time you _________ (call) could
your mother.
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Practice Exercise
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Rule 1