Subjunctive Mood MCQ Test With Answers – Online Exercises

After verbs and expressions of advice or demand such as it is recommended that, formal English uses the subjunctive: the base form of the verb for every person, with no -s in the third person singular. So we say she take, not she takes. The indicative takes is heard in informal British English, but the task asks for the subjunctive.

It is essential that is followed by the subjunctive, which uses the base form of the verb. The subjunctive of to be is be for every person: It is essential that you be there. Are is the ordinary indicative form, not the subjunctive.

The verb necessitate expresses a requirement, so the that-clause takes the subjunctive. In the negative subjunctive, not comes directly before the base form, with no auxiliary do: that we not be late. Are not is the indicative and does not follow this pattern.

It is absolutely essential that takes the subjunctive, so the verb stays in its base form even after he: that he finish. Finishes is the indicative, with the third-person -s that the subjunctive drops.

Request that is a verb of demand, so the that-clause takes the subjunctive. The subjunctive is the base form for every person, with no -s: requested that my friend vacate the flat. The tense of the main verb (has requested, requested, requests) does not change it, because the subjunctive has only one form. Not vacates: that is the indicative, with the third-person -s. To vacate means to leave a place so that it is empty for someone else.

It is necessary that introduces a subjunctive clause, so the verb is the base form: each and every employee wear. Each and every employee is singular, which is why wears is tempting, but the subjunctive never adds -s.

The subjunctive also has a continuous form: be + -ing. After it is important that, we use be guarding to stress an action that must be in progress. Are guarding is the ordinary present continuous, which is the indicative and not the subjunctive.

The passive subjunctive is be + past participle for every subject: that the job be finished. It follows it is absolutely essential that, just like the active form. Is finished is the indicative passive.

It is absolutely crucial that requires the subjunctive. Here it is the continuous subjunctive, be + -ing, because the cars must already be waiting when the plane arrives: that two or three police escort cars be waiting. With a plural subject, be and are may look similar in function, but only be is the subjunctive form.

After recommend that, the subjunctive is used. In the negative, not goes directly before the base form, without do or does: I would recommend that she not take the job. Does not take is the indicative, so it is not the subjunctive.