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Grammar point 2: The Subjunctive


The subjunctive is a specific verb form. It usually expresses something that you wish for, or a hypothetical rather than actual situation:

☞ If only I were ten years younger.
☞ I only wish that what you say were true. 
 It is also used to indicate that something is being suggested or demanded:
☞ The report recommends that he face the tribunal.
☞ It is important that they be aware of the provisions of the Act. 
When is it used?
You are most likely to encounter the subjunctive in formal writing or speech. You’ll also encounter it in the following scenarios:

1.  In that-clauses

Nowadays it is probably most frequent in that-clauses with verbs such as demand, insist, pray, recommend, suggest, essential, important, insistence, proposal, etc. 
☞ She declined a seat beside Charles on the sofa. She insisted that Jane sit there.
☞ It was suggested that he wait until the next morning.
Note: In most such cases it can be replaced by should + infinitive or by the indicative form of the verb:
☞ She declined a seat beside Charles on the sofa. She insisted that Jane sat there.
☞ It was suggested that he should wait until the next morning. 

2. As if…, as though…, if…

After if (or as if, as though, unless) in hypotheses or comparisons:
☞ If that were so, things would be very different.
☞ It was as if Sally were disturbed in some way.
3. If I were you…
The phrase "If I were you" is used to express an unreel situation, a wish, an piece of advice, hope. This form can be considered as a "past subjunctive".
       ☞ If I were not in debt, I would quit my job
4. Set phrases
For categories 1–3 using the subjunctive is optional. However, there are many set phrases which contain a hidden subjunctive as part of the phrase: 
       ☞ God save the Queen!
       ☞ Heaven forbid!
       ☞ So be it 
Click on the following link to do some exercises on the subjunctive tense: 
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