The subjunctive mood · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

The subjunctive mood

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 10-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which word signals the subjunctive here? 'The doctor recommends that he rest for a week.'

    • rest
    • recommends
    • week

  2. Complete: If I ___ taller, I could reach the shelf.

    • was
    • were
    • am

  3. The subjunctive mood is used to describe real, everyday facts.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly?

    • I wish I was on vacation.
    • I wish I were on vacation.
    • I wish I am on vacation.

  5. Complete: It is important that each visitor ___ quiet in the library.

    • is
    • being
    • be

  6. Spot the error: 'If the lake was frozen, we could skate on it.' What should change?

    • 'Was' should be 'were'
    • 'Could' should be 'can'
    • Nothing should change

  7. 'If Maya were captain, she would pick me.' What does this tell you about Maya?

    • Maya is the captain.
    • Maya was captain last year.
    • Maya is not captain right now.

  8. A museum notice says: 'It is essential that every bag be left at the desk.' Why write it that way instead of 'Leave your bag at the desk'?

    • It sounds formal and polite.
    • It asks the reader a question.
    • It tells you about the past.

  9. Which sentence is written in the subjunctive mood?

    • Were she in charge, the rules would change.
    • She is in charge of the rules.
    • She was in charge of the rules yesterday.

  10. Complete both blanks: If she ___ the captain, she would insist that everyone ___ on time.

    • was ... arrives
    • were ... arrives
    • were ... arrive
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

The subjunctive mood W1-mt_k7VtbWdfDO-s1

  1. recommends · 'Recommends' is a trigger word, and it is the reason the verb after 'that' takes its base form.
  2. were · The subjunctive uses 'were' for hypothetical situations, even with 'I.'
  3. False · The subjunctive is for wishes, suggestions, and things that are not yet true, not for plain facts.
  4. I wish I were on vacation. · 'Wish' introduces something untrue, so the subjunctive 'were' is correct.
  5. be · After 'it is important that,' the verb takes its base form, and the base form of 'is' is 'be.'
  6. 'Was' should be 'were' · The lake is not frozen, so this imagined idea needs 'were' in place of 'was.'
  7. Maya is not captain right now. · 'Were' marks an idea that is not true, so Maya is not the captain.
  8. It sounds formal and polite. · The subjunctive gives an instruction a careful, formal tone, which suits a public notice.
  9. Were she in charge, the rules would change. · 'Were she in charge' flips the normal word order to show a hypothetical situation, a hallmark of the subjunctive mood.
  10. were ... arrive · The first blank imagines something untrue, so it takes 'were.' The second follows the trigger 'insist,' so it takes the base form 'arrive.'
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