subjunctive

The subjunctive is a grammatical mood used to express wishes, imagined situations, requirements, or things that are contrary to fact. In English, it is less visible than it is in many other languages, because English does not have a large set of special endings for it. Instead, we usually notice it through a few special verb choices or through the use of the base form of the verb where ordinary grammar would expect something else.

There are several key contexts where you will encounter the subjunctive:

• "If" clauses expressing unreal conditions: "If I were you, I would apologize." We use were instead of was because it is impossible for me to actually be you; it is a purely hypothetical scenario.
• Wishes and desires: "I wish I had more time." Even though we use a past tense form (had), we are talking about a desire for the present or future.
• Demands, suggestions, and recommendations (the mandative subjunctive): This is where it gets tricky. After verbs like insist, suggest, or recommend, we often use the base form of the verb. For example: "The doctor recommended that he rest" (not rests). Or, "She insisted that everyone be on time."
• Formal expressions and set phrases: These are "frozen" examples of the subjunctive that we still use today, such as "Suffice it to say," "Heaven forbid," or "Long live the Republic."

Because the subjunctive often uses the base form of a verb even when the subject is singular, it can feel "wrong" or awkward to modern ears. In some kinds of English, especially British English, people may also use should in some of these patterns, as in "They suggested that he should rest." However, learning the subjunctive helps you clearly mark the difference between what is happening and what is wished, imagined, or required.