Subjunctive mood

The subjunctive mood is the verb form used for situations that are wished for, demanded, or contrary to fact rather than stated as real: 'if I were you', 'she insisted that he be told'.

Mood is what a verb form says about the status of the action. Most English verbs are in the indicative, which simply reports: he is told. The imperative gives an order: tell him. The subjunctive marks the action as unreal, or not yet real.

Subjunctive mood examples

It survives in a few places, and they are worth knowing.

Contrary to fact. If I were you, I would wait. Not was: the sentence is about a situation that is not the case. The same were follows wish, as if and as though: I wish she were here. He talks as if he were in charge.

Demands, requests and recommendations. After verbs such as insist, demand, suggest, recommend and ask, and phrases such as it is essential that, the verb takes its plain form with no ending.

• She insisted that he be told.
• The clerk asked that the form be signed in ink.
• We recommend that she leave early.
• It is essential that he not see the letter.

Compare she insisted that he is told, which reports a claim that he is told, not a demand that he should be. British English often uses should here instead: she insisted that he should be told.

Set phrases. Be that as it may. Come what may. Far be it from me. God save the King.

How to tell it apart

The subjunctive is only visible in two places: the third-person singular, where the -s disappears (that he leave, not leaves), and the verb be (that she be, if I were). Everywhere else it looks the same as the ordinary form, which is why so many writers never notice they are using it.

The subjunctive in fiction

Outside the places above it has quietly disappeared, and reaching for it elsewhere produces the stiffness of a letter from a bank.

In dialogue, mood is characterisation. A character who says if I were you is not the same person as one who says if I was you, and neither is wrong on the page. Match the character, and keep the narration consistent with whatever standard the rest of the book uses.

Frequently asked questions

What is the subjunctive mood?

The subjunctive mood is the verb form English uses for things that are not real yet or not real at all: wishes, demands and situations contrary to fact. 'If I were rich' and 'I suggest that she be invited' are both subjunctive.

Is 'if I was you' wrong?

It is common in speech and informal writing, and many readers will not notice it. Formal writing and most style guides still expect 'if I were you'. In dialogue, choose whichever your character would say.

When is 'if I was' correct?

When the situation might really have been true. 'If I was rude last night, I apologise' is about a real possibility, so the ordinary past tense is right. 'Were' is for things you know are not the case.