The Subjunctive
The Subjunctive Mood is used in formal English to express urgency, importance, or unreal situations.
build The Formula
We NEVER add -s, -ed, or -ing in the subjunctive mood!
priority_high Adjective Triggers
Use after: It is vital, essential, crucial, important...
record_voice_over Verb Triggers
Use after verbs of asking: recommend, demand, insist, request, suggest...
psychology_alt Hypotheses
When imagining an unreal situation, we use were for all subjects (even I/he/she/it).
Drop the "S"!
Master the Subjunctive đŹ
Watch Teacher Sopheak explain this advanced, formal grammar structure. Using the subjunctive correctly is a great way to sound highly educated and professional!
Quick Check ⚡
"The doctor recommended that he stops smoking."
Mission đŻ
Mission đŻ
Mission đŻ
Ask a Question đ♂️
Recent Questions
Hi Nita! Yes, you can! In British English, using "should" (that he should attend) is very common. However, in American English and formal international business, the bare subjunctive (that he attend) is standard. Both are correct! đ
Why do people say "If I was you" in songs if it is wrong?
Language is always changing! "If I was" is very common in informal, spoken English (and songs). However, on an IELTS test or in an essay, "If I were" is the strictly correct grammatical form. đ
Teacher, can I just use "should" instead? Like "It is vital that he should attend."