1. The subjunctive is a special, relatively rare verb form in
English.
By Lia Cahyati, S.Pd.
2. Use of the Subjunctive
We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that
are not certain to happen. For example, we use the
subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:
wants to happen
anticipates will happen
imagines happening
Kinds of Subjunctive:
Past Subjuctive
Past Perfect Subjunctive
Present Perfect Subjunctive
4. Kinds of Subjucntive
Past Past Perfect
Subjunctive Subjuctive
We often use the subjunctive We often use PAST
form WERE instead of "was" PERFECT TENSE form after:
and PAST TENSE form after: if
if as if
as if wish
wish suppose
suppose
5. Examples
Past Perfect
Past Subjunctive
Subjuctive
I wish you were here. He wishes he hadn’t spent
I wish the meeting
all his money.
weren’t longer. If only he had said the
right thing, she wouldn’t
If I were you, I should tell have left him.
her. A man comes closer and
She acts as if she acts as if he had known
were Queen. me.
I suppose you wouldn’t do If I had waited ten more
that. minutes, i would ‘t have
walked home in the rain.
6. Present Subjunctive
The subjunctive is typically used after two structures:
the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose,
recommend, request, suggest + that
the expressions: it is desirable, essential,
important, necessary, vital + that
Subject + the verbs + that + Noun + Verb-1 (bare infinitive)
It + be + the expressions + that + Noun + Verb-1 (bare infinitive)
7. Example
The
The verbs
expressions
The doctors recommended It is essential that she be at
that she take a holiday. the meeting.
The President requests that It is necessary that every
they stop the occupation. student wear a uniform.
The manager insists that the It was necessary that every
car park be locked at night. student submit his essay by
The boss asks that you come the weekend.
early for your first day of It is important that you move
work. on as soon as possible.