English Studio
Grammar C1 - Subjunctive mood in formal writing
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The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, suggestions, demands, or conditions that are not certain or are hypothetical. It is more common in formal writing and speech, especially in clauses following verbs like suggest, recommend, insist, and demand. It also appears in clauses after expressions of necessity, urgency, and possibility, or in "if" clauses that describe hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations.
The subjunctive mood in English differs from regular verb tenses. In the subjunctive, verbs in the present tense are used without the usual third-person singular -s in the present form.
Examples:
If I were you, I would take the job offer.
(Here, "were" is used in the subjunctive mood to describe a hypothetical situation.)
It is crucial that he be present at the meeting.
(The verb be is in the subjunctive form after "it is crucial that.")
She suggests that John study harder for the exam.
(The verbs study and be are used in their base forms after suggests.)