The subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical situations, wishes,

demands, suggestions, or conditions contrary to fact. While it exists in both

British and American English, its usage differs somewhat between the two
varieties.
1. Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used in that-clauses after certain verbs,
adjectives, or nouns to express necessity, urgency, or importance.
Structure:
• Base form of the verb (no inflection for person or number).
Examples:
• British English: "It is essential that he be on time."
• American English: "It is essential that he be on time."
Both varieties use the present subjunctive in formal contexts, but American
English tends to use it more frequently in everyday speech, while British
English often replaces it with other constructions, such as the indicative
mood or modal verbs like should.
• British English: "It is essential that he should be on time."
• American English: "It is essential that he be on time."

2. Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used to express hypothetical or unreal situations,
often in conditional sentences or after wish.
Structure:
• The past subjunctive form of to be is were for all persons (e.g., "If I
were," "If he were").
Examples:
 • British English: "If I were rich, I would travel the world."
• American English: "If I were rich, I would travel the world."
This usage is the same in both varieties. However, in informal speech,
especially in British English, some speakers may use was instead of were
(e.g., "If I was rich"), though this is considered less formal.

3. Mandative Subjunctive
The mandative subjunctive is used after expressions of demand,
recommendation, or suggestion.
Structure:
• Base form of the verb.
Examples:
• British English: "They suggested that he take the job."
• American English: "They suggested that he take the job."
Again, American English uses the mandative subjunctive more consistently,
while British English often replaces it with should + base form or the
indicative mood.
• British English: "They suggested that he should take the job."
• American English: "They suggested that he take the job."

4. Fixed Expressions
Both varieties use the subjunctive in certain fixed expressions, such as:
• "God save the King/Queen."
• "Long live the President."
• "Be that as it may."
These are identical in both British and American English.

Key Differences:
1. Frequency: The subjunctive is more commonly used in American
English, especially in formal and informal contexts. In British English,
it is often replaced with modal verbs or indicative forms.
2. Mandative Subjunctive: American English strongly prefers the
subjunctive in mandative constructions, while British English often
uses should or the indicative.
3. Informal Usage: In informal British English, was may replace were in
hypothetical contexts, whereas American English generally maintains
were.

Summary Table:

Feature British English American English

Present Less common; often replaced More common; used

Subjunctive with should or indicative consistently

Past Subjunctive Were (formal); was (informal) Were (consistent)

Mandative
Often replaced with should Used consistently
Subjunctive

Fixed Expressions Same as American English Same as British English

In conclusion, while the subjunctive mood exists in both British and

American English, its usage is more prevalent and consistent in American
English, whereas British English often opts for alternative constructions.
more examples
Certainly! Here are more examples of the subjunctive mood in both British
English and American English, highlighting the differences and similarities
in usage:

1. Present Subjunctive
Used in that-clauses after verbs, adjectives, or nouns expressing necessity,
urgency, or importance.
Examples:
• British English: "It is important that she attend the meeting."
American English: "It is important that she attend the meeting."
(Both use the subjunctive, but British English might also say, "It is
important that she should attend the meeting.")
• British English: "They demanded that he apologize."
American English: "They demanded that he apologize."
(British English might also say, "They demanded that he should
apologize.")
• British English: "It is crucial that the report be submitted on time."
American English: "It is crucial that the report be submitted on time."
(British English might use, "It is crucial that the report is submitted on
time.")

2. Past Subjunctive
Used for hypothetical or unreal situations, often after if or wish.
Examples:
• British English: "If I were you, I wouldn’t do that."
American English: "If I were you, I wouldn’t do that."
(In informal British English, some might say, "If I was you.")
 • British English: "I wish she were here with us."
American English: "I wish she were here with us."
(In informal British English, some might say, "I wish she was here.")
• British English: "If he were taller, he could play basketball."
American English: "If he were taller, he could play basketball."
(Informal British English: "If he was taller.")

3. Mandative Subjunctive
Used after verbs, nouns, or adjectives expressing demands, suggestions, or
recommendations.
Examples:
• British English: "The teacher insisted that the student finish the
assignment."
American English: "The teacher insisted that the student finish the
assignment."
(British English might also say, "The teacher insisted that the student
should finish the assignment.")
• British English: "It is recommended that he apply for the
scholarship."
American English: "It is recommended that he apply for the
scholarship."
(British English might use, "It is recommended that he should
apply.")
• British English: "The boss requested that the team stay late."
American English: "The boss requested that the team stay late."
(British English might say, "The boss requested that the team should
stay late.")
4. Fixed Expressions
These are identical in both varieties.
Examples:
• "God save the King/Queen!"
• "Long live the President!"
• "Be that as it may, we must proceed."
• "So be it."
• "Heaven forbid that should happen."

5. Hypothetical Situations (Conditional Sentences)

Used in if-clauses to express unreal or hypothetical scenarios.
Examples:
• British English: "If I were rich, I would buy a yacht."
American English: "If I were rich, I would buy a yacht."
(Informal British English: "If I was rich.")
• British English: "If she were here, she would know what to do."
American English: "If she were here, she would know what to do."
(Informal British English: "If she was here.")
• British English: "If they were more careful, this wouldn’t have
happened."
American English: "If they were more careful, this wouldn’t have
happened."
(Informal British English: "If they was more careful.")

6. Wishes and Desires

Used after wish to express unreal or hypothetical desires.
Examples:
• British English: "I wish I were taller."
American English: "I wish I were taller."
(Informal British English: "I wish I was taller.")
• British English: "She wishes she were more confident."
American English: "She wishes she were more confident."
(Informal British English: "She wishes she was more confident.")
• British English: "We wish the weather were better."
American English: "We wish the weather were better."
(Informal British English: "We wish the weather was better.")

7. Formal Commands or Proposals

Used in formal contexts to express commands or proposals.
Examples:
• British English: "The committee moved that the motion be adopted."
American English: "The committee moved that the motion be
adopted."
(British English might also say, "The committee moved that the
motion should be adopted.")
• British English: "It is proposed that the meeting be adjourned."
American English: "It is proposed that the meeting be adjourned."
(British English might use, "It is proposed that the meeting should be
adjourned.")

Summary of Differences:
• British English often replaces the subjunctive with should or the
indicative mood, especially in informal contexts.
 • American English consistently uses the subjunctive in formal and
informal contexts.
• The past subjunctive (were) is more strictly maintained in American
English, while British English sometimes uses was in informal speech.

The subjunctive mood is often triggered by specific verbs, adjectives, and

nouns that express necessity, urgency, recommendation, demand, or
hypothetical situations. Below is a list of verbs that are frequently used with
the subjunctive mood, along with examples to illustrate their usage.

1. Verbs of Demand or Request

These verbs often trigger the mandative subjunctive (present subjunctive)
in that-clauses.
Examples:
• Demand: "She demanded that he be on time."
• Request: "They requested that the report be submitted by Friday."
• Insist: "He insisted that she stay for dinner."
• Require: "The rules require that all participants register in advance."
• Ask: "I ask that you be honest with me."

2. Verbs of Suggestion or Recommendation

These verbs also trigger the mandative subjunctive.
Examples:
• Suggest: "She suggested that he take a break."
• Recommend: "The doctor recommended that she exercise regularly."
• Propose: "They proposed that the meeting be postponed."
• Advise: "I advise that you be careful."

3. Verbs of Urgency or Necessity

These verbs express that something is important or urgent, often triggering
the subjunctive.
Examples:
• Urge: "I urge that he reconsider his decision."
• Desire: "They desire that the project be completed on time."
• Prefer: "We prefer that she not attend the event."
• Necessitate: "The situation necessitates that we act quickly."

4. Verbs of Wishing or Hypothetical Situations

These verbs are often followed by the past subjunctive (were) to express
unreal or hypothetical situations.
Examples:
• Wish: "I wish I were taller."
• Imagine: "Imagine if he were here right now."
• Suppose: "Suppose she were to win the lottery—what would she do?"

5. Verbs of Doubt or Denial

These verbs can trigger the subjunctive when expressing uncertainty or
hypothetical scenarios.
Examples:
• Doubt: "I doubt that he be telling the truth."
• Deny: "She denied that the decision be fair."

6. Impersonal Expressions
While not verbs, these expressions often trigger the subjunctive mood and
are worth mentioning.
Examples:
 • It is essential: "It is essential that he be informed."
• It is important: "It is important that they arrive on time."
• It is necessary: "It is necessary that the documents be signed."
• It is crucial: "It is crucial that the plan be followed."

Full List of Verbs Frequently Used with the Subjunctive

Category Verbs
demand, request, insist, require, ask, beg,
Demand/Request
command, order, urge
suggest, recommend, propose, advise, move
Suggestion/Recommendation
(in formal contexts)
urge, desire, prefer, necessitate, mandate,
Urgency/Necessity
stipulate
wish, imagine, suppose, if (in conditional
Wishing/Hypothetical
sentences)
Doubt/Denial doubt, deny, question

Examples in Context
1. Demand: "The teacher demanded that the students be quiet."
2. Request: "They requested that the manager review the proposal."
3. Insist: "She insisted that he apologize for his behavior."
4. Suggest: "He suggested that we leave early to avoid traffic."
5. Recommend: "The committee recommended that the policy be
changed."
6. Urge: "I urge that you reconsider your decision."
7. Wish: "I wish I were more confident in public speaking."
8. Doubt: "I doubt that he be capable of completing the task."

Key Notes:
 • In American English, the subjunctive is used more consistently after
these verbs.
• In British English, the subjunctive is often replaced with should +
base form or the indicative mood, especially in informal contexts.
For example:
• American English: "She suggested that he take a break."
• British English: "She suggested that he should take a break."