The subjunctive and other formal structures
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Lesson notes
What is the subjunctive?
- The subjunctive is a special verb form we use for things that are not real – like wishes, suggestions, or things that might not happen.
- We use it when we talk about what we want or what we imagine, not what is true.
- For example: “I wish I were on a beach.” – This is a wish, not true, so we use were instead of was.
- The subjunctive often appears after words like wish, suggest, demand, or important.
- It is different from the indicative, which is the normal way we talk about facts.
How to form the subjunctive
- For most verbs, the subjunctive looks like the base form (the verb without -s, -ed, or -ing).
- In the present subjunctive, we drop the -s from the third person singular. So we say “he go” not “he goes”.
- Example: “It is important that she stay by your side.” – We say stay, not stays.
- For the past subjunctive, we use were for all subjects, even with I, he, she, or it.
- Example: “If I were you, I would study harder.” – We say were, not was.
When to use the subjunctive
- Use the subjunctive after wish for things that are not true: “I wish I were taller.”
- Use it after suggest, demand, insist, or ask when we want someone to do something: “The teacher insisted that he be present.”
- Use it after important, necessary, or essential to say what must happen: “It is necessary that you be quiet.”
- Use it for hypothetical (imaginary) situations with if: “If I were a bird, I would fly.”
- We do not use the subjunctive for facts or things that are true.
What are formal structures?
- Formal structures are ways of writing or speaking that sound more serious, polite, or official.
- We use them in school essays, letters to important people, or news reports.
- The subjunctive is one formal structure, but there are others.
- Formal structures can make your writing sound more grown-up and careful.
Inversion after negative openings
- Inversion means swapping the normal word order – putting the verb before the subject.
- We do this after negative words like never, rarely, seldom, or not only.
- Example: “Never have I seen such a beautiful sunset.” – Normally we say “I have never seen…”
- Another example: “Not only did she win, but she also broke a record.”
- This makes the sentence sound more formal and dramatic.
Nominalisation
- Nominalisation is turning a verb (an action word) into a noun (a thing).
- For example: “decide” becomes “decision”, “discuss” becomes “discussion”.
- Instead of saying “We decided to go”, we can say “We made a decision to go.”
- Nominalisation makes writing sound more formal and less personal.
- Use it in reports or essays, but not in everyday chat.
Impersonal openings
- Impersonal openings are sentence starters that do not mention a specific person.
- They use words like it or there to begin a sentence.
- Examples: “It is thought that exercise is good for you.” or “There are many reasons to recycle.”
- These openings sound formal and are common in news and school reports.
- They help you avoid saying “I think” all the time.
When to use formal structures
- Use formal structures in school essays, reports, and letters to adults.
- Use them when you want to sound polite or serious.
- Do not use them in casual talk with friends – they would sound strange and stiff.
- The subjunctive is often used in formal writing, but also in some everyday phrases like “If I were you”.
- Knowing when to use them shows you are a good writer.
Slides
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Practice questions
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1.What is the subjunctive mood used for?
Easy- ATo talk about facts that are always true
- BTo talk about wishes, suggestions, or things that are not real
- CTo ask a question
- DTo give a command
2.Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
Easy- AI wish I was taller.
- BI wish I were taller.
- CI wish I am taller.
- DI wish I be taller.
3.In the present subjunctive, the verb 'to be' becomes 'be' for all subjects (e.g., 'I suggest that he be quiet').
EasyTrue or false?
4.Which sentence contains a subjunctive form?
Medium- AShe goes to school every day.
- BIt is important that she stay by your side.
- CThey are playing outside.
- DHe has finished his work.
5.Which of the following sentences use the subjunctive mood? (Select all that apply)
Medium- AI suggest that you be careful.
- BIf I were you, I would go.
- CThe judge insisted that he be present.
- DShe is happy because she won.
6.In formal English, which sentence uses an impersonal opening correctly?
Medium- AIt is thought that the meeting will start soon.
- BPeople think that the meeting will start soon.
- CEveryone thinks that the meeting will start soon.
- DI think that the meeting will start soon.
7.The subjunctive form of 'to be' in the past is always 'was'.
EasyTrue or false?
8.Which sentence uses the subjunctive after a verb of suggestion?
Medium- AShe suggests that he studies harder.
- BShe suggests that he study harder.
- CShe suggests that he studies hard.
- DShe suggests that he will study harder.
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