| Subjunctive |
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Subjunctive Exercises |
Subjunctive
Subjunctive The subjunctive is a grammatical mood used to express hypothetical, unreal, or uncertain situations. It is commonly employed in English to convey wishes, suggestions, recommendations, demands, and contrary-to-fact statements. Understanding the subjunctive mood is crucial for achieving fluency in English and performing well on language proficiency exams.
In language proficiency exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge English Exams, subjunctive is often tested as part of the grammar section. These exams aim to evaluate your language skills and knowledge of grammar rules. Subjunctive questions may require you to identify the correct form or usage of subjunctive in sentences.
Present Subjunctive:
The present subjunctive is used to express wishes, suggestions, recommendations, and demands. It is typically formed by using the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject. The structure is as follows: “Subject + base form of the verb.”
Example: I suggest that she study for the exam. |
Past Subjunctive:
The past subjunctive is used to express contrary-to-fact statements, unreal conditions, and hypothetical situations in the past. It is often formed by using the past simple form of the verb. However, in modern English, the past subjunctive is often identical to the past simple tense. The structure is: “Subject + past simple form of the verb.”
Example: If I were you, I would have gone to the party. |
Subjunctive in Conditional Sentences:
The subjunctive mood is commonly used in conditional sentences to express hypothetical or unreal conditions. In these cases, the verb in the dependent clause is in the past subjunctive form. The structure is: “If + subject + past subjunctive form of the verb, main clause.”
Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the test. |
Subjunctive with Expressions of Necessity or Recommendation:
The subjunctive mood is also used with expressions of necessity or recommendation to convey a sense of importance or urgency. The structure is: “It is important/essential/recommended/suggested + that + subject + base form of the verb.”
Example: It is essential that he be present at the meeting. |
Mastering the usage of the subjunctive mood will greatly enhance your language skills and enable you to effectively convey wishes, suggestions, recommendations, and contrary-to-fact statements. Practice using the subjunctive in different contexts to solidify your understanding and excel in exams like TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Exams, and other language proficiency tests.” |
Subjunctive
Exercise-1
Choose the word that correctly completes each sentence below.
Choose the word that correctly completes each sentence below
| 1. Mr. Waldman recommends that Dorinda (be, is) promoted. |
| 2. I insist that Marc (stop, stops) coming to class in that gorilla suit. |
| 3. Miss Lincoln demands that James (prepare, prepares) carefully for each case. |
| 4. We demand that a new counselor (be, is) hired. |
| 5. Mrs. McKellop requests that Vivette (come, comes) to her office at once. |
| 6. I move that nominations (be, are) closed. |
| 7. Park rules require that each person (leaves, leave) by midnight. |
| 8. The gas station attendant asked that Ronald (to pull, pull) up a little close to the pump. |
| 9. The man insists that he (is, be) executed from the jury duty. |
| 10. The doctor recommended that Paula (went, go) on a strict diet. |
| 11. President Downing insists that the demonstration (to be, be) ended. |
| 12. Requests that Yosemite (become, becomes) a national park were granted in 1890. |
| 13. I suggest that every applicant (fills, fill) out the form carefully. |
| 14. Alec’s boss insists that he (be, is) on time for work every day from now on. |
| 15. She ordered that the door (to be, be) closed. |
| 16. He recommends that she (writes, write) her paper tonight. |
Ex 1
| 1.be |
5. come |
9. be |
13. fill |
| 2. stop |
6. be |
10. go |
14. be |
| 3. prepare |
7. leave |
11. be |
15. be |
| 4. be |
8. pull |
12. become |
16. write |
Subjunctive Exercises |
Subjunctive
Exercise-2
Complete the following sentences. In many of the sentences there is more than one possible completion.
Subjunctive
Complete the following sentences. In many of the sentences there is more than one possible completion.
| 1. Mr. Adams insists that we ……… careful in our writing. |
| 2. They requested that we not ……… after midnight. |
| 3. She demanded that I ……… her the truth. |
| 4. I recommended that Jane ……… to the head of the department. |
| 5. I suggest that everyone ……… a letter to the governor. |
| 6. It is essential that I ……… you tomorrow. |
| 7. It is important that he ……… the director of the English program. |
| 8. It is necessary that everyone ……… here on time. |
| 9. The doctor advised that I ……… on a diet. |
| 10. The restaurant suggested that we ……… on time for our reservation. |
Ex 2
| 1. be |
3. tell |
5. write |
7. be |
9. go |
| 2. come |
4. speak |
6. see |
8. come/be |
10. arrive |
Subjunctive Exercises |
Subjunctive
Exercise-3
Give the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Some of the verbs are passive.
Subjunctive
Give the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Some of the verbs are passive.
| 1. Her adviser recommended that she (take) five courses. |
| 2. He insisted that the new baby (name) after his grandfather. |
| 3. The doctor recommended that she (stay) in bed for a few days. |
| 4. The students requested that the test (postpone), but the instructor decided against the postponement. |
| 5. I requested that I (permit) to change my class. |
| 6. It is essential that pollution (control) and eventually (eliminate). |
| 7. It was such a beautiful day that one of the students suggested we (have) class outside. |
| 8. The movie director insisted that everything about his production (be) authentic. |
| 9. It is vital that no one else (know) about the secret government operation. |
| 10. She asked that we (be) sure to lock the door behind us. |
| 11. It is essential that no one (admit) to the room without proper identification. |
| 12. It is important that you (be, not) alone. |
| 13. It is imperative that he (return) home immediately. |
| 14. The governor proposed that a new highway (build). |
| 15. She specifically asked that I (tell, not) anyone else about it. She said it was important that no one else (tell) about it. |
Ex.3
| 1. take 6. be controlled, be eliminated 11. be admitted |
| 2. be named 7. have (should have) 12. not be |
| 3. stay (should stay) 8. be 13. return |
| 4. be postponed 9. know 14. be built |
| 5. be permitted 10. be 15. not tell, be told |
Subjunctive Exercises |
Subjunctive
Exercise-4
Define whether these sentences are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F). Correct mistakes.
Define whether these sentences are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F). Correct mistakes.
| 1. Tom suggested that I should look for another job. |
| 2. Tom suggested that I look for another job. |
| 3. Tom suggested that I looked for another job. |
| 4. Tom suggested me to look for another job. |
| 5. Where do you suggest I go for my holiday? |
| 6. Where do you suggest me to go for my holiday? |
| 7. Where do you suggest I should go for my holiday? |
| 8. The teacher suggested that her students to write compositions on their experiences with ESP. |
| 9. The doctor insisted that his patient taking it easy for three months. |
| 10. I suggest that he goes to the doctor as soon as he returns from taking the exam. |
| 11. The doctor suggested that she not smoke. |
| 12. I propose that the vote is secret ballot. |
| 13. The foreign student advisor recommended that she studied more English before enrolling at the university. |
| 14. She insisted that they give her a receipt. |
| 15. The law requires that everyone has his car checked at least once a year. |
Ex.4
| 1. T |
6. F, that I go |
11.T |
| 2. T |
7. T |
12. F, votebe |
| 3. T |
8. F, students write |
13. F, she study |
| 4. F, that I look |
9. F, patient take |
14.T |
| 5. T |
10.F, he go |
15. F, everyone have |
Subjunctive Exercises |
Exercise-5
Define whether these sentences below are True (T) or False (F). Correct mistakes.
Subjunctive
Define whether these sentences below are True or False. Correct mistakes.
| 1. The supervisor recommended that all employees took a course in speed reading. |
| 2. They request that you be fluent in Spanish. |
| 3. My doctor urges that I am stopping smoking immediately. |
| 4. It was essential that the train leave on time. |
| 5. The professor advised that John had a private tutor for a few weeks. |
| 6. The admiral demanded that his crew has inspection twice a day. |
| 7. They asked that she not call before 8:00 a.m. |
| 8. The gracious hosts insisted that Mr. Smith did not leave so early. |
| 9. I suggested that he wear black for the ceremony. |
| 10. The police require that a driver renews his license every three years. |
| 11. The instructions ask that we don’t use a red pen. |
| 12. The law requires that students be in school a certain number of days a year. |
| 13. It was important that money was collected for the cause. |
Ex.5
| 1. F, employees take |
8. F, Mr. Smith not leave |
| 2. T |
9. T |
| 3. F, I stop |
10.F, a driver renew |
| 4. T |
11 .F, we not use |
| 5. F, John have |
12.? |
| 6. F, crew have |
13.F, the money be collected |
| 7. ? |
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Subjunctive Exercises |