Subjunctive Mood

Wishes and Hypotheticals

Sections
Introduction

1. Definition & Core Meaning

The Subjunctive Mood expresses hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations: wishes, suggestions, demands, and conditions.

What is it?
Wishes and Hypotheticals

2. Use Cases

  • Wishes: "I wish I were rich"
  • Hypotheticals: "If I were you..."
  • Suggestions: "I suggest that he go"
  • Demands: "She demanded that it be done."

3. When to Use It (Time Expressions/Signals)

[!NOTE]
Signal verbs: wish, suggest, demand, insist, recommend, require, propose

4. How to Use It (Rules)

  • Use "were" for all persons in wishes
  • Use base form after suggest/demand/insist
  • Expresses unreal or contrary situations