The Subjunctive Mood Worksheet | photocopiables - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The task is to rewrite the noun clauses using the subjunctive mood if necessary.

🔹 What is the Subjunctive Mood?

The subjunctive mood is used to express:
- Wishes, suggestions, demands, recommendations, requests, or hypothetical situations.
- It often follows verbs like *suggest*, *demand*, *insist*, *advise*, *recommend*, *require*, etc.
- In these cases, the verb in the subordinate clause (after "that") is usually in the base form (infinitive without "to") — especially for present subjunctive.

> Example:
> ✘ *He suggested that she goes.*
> ✔ *He suggested that she go.*

---

Now let’s go through each sentence:

---

1. It’s important that we should take action against global climate change.

- “It’s important” → This triggers the subjunctive.
- "should" is already a marker of subjunctive, but we can simplify it.
- We use base form after "that".

✔ It’s important that we take action against global climate change.

> ✔️ Note: "should" is optional in formal English here. The subjunctive form is just "take".

---

2. If they hadn’t escaped to the sanctuary during the blizzard, they might have died.

- This is a conditional sentence, not a noun clause with a demand/suggestion.
- It uses past perfect ("hadn't escaped") and modal "might have died".
- No subjunctive needed here because it's a hypothetical past condition.

✔ No change needed.
👉 *If they hadn’t escaped to the sanctuary during the blizzard, they might have died.*

---

3. I advise you to wear a helmet to protect yourself from stalactites.

- "Advise" is a verb that triggers the subjunctive.
- But here it's followed by an infinitive ("to wear"), which is acceptable.
- However, we can rewrite it using the subjunctive form after "that".

➡️ Change to:
✔ I advise that you wear a helmet to protect yourself from stalactites.

> ✔️ "advise that + subject + base verb"

---

4. If you rip that paper, you won’t be able to enter the competition tomorrow.

- This is a first conditional (real possibility).
- No subjunctive required.

✔ No change needed.
👉 *If you rip that paper, you won’t be able to enter the competition tomorrow.*

---

5. Our teacher suggests that we should help people suffering from famine.

- "Suggests" → triggers subjunctive.
- "should" is acceptable, but we can drop it and use the base form.

✔ Our teacher suggests that we help people suffering from famine.

> ✔️ Subjunctive: "help" instead of "should help"

---

6. The lava turns into stone after it cools down.

- This is a factual statement about a natural process.
- No suggestion, demand, or wish involved.

✔ No change needed.
👉 *The lava turns into stone after it cools down.*

---

7. Tom insists that Jane wears a gas mask to protect herself from fumes.

- "Insists" → requires subjunctive.
- "wears" is incorrect; should be base form.

✔ Tom insists that Jane wear a gas mask to protect herself from fumes.

> ✔️ "wear" (not "wears")

---

8. The authorities implored that everybody is at home during the lightning storm.

- "Implored" (past tense of "implore") → strong request → needs subjunctive.
- "is" is wrong; should be be (base form).

✔ The authorities implored that everybody be at home during the lightning storm.

> ✔️ "be" (subjunctive) after "that"

---

9. Maggie advised that I stayed away from the earthquake crater.

- "Advised" → requires subjunctive.
- "stayed" is incorrect (past tense); should be stay.

✔ Maggie advised that I stay away from the earthquake crater.

> ✔️ "stay" (base form)

---

10. The firefighter begs not to find the lost child in the burnt-out building.

- "Begs" → could trigger subjunctive, but the structure is off.
- The clause is "not to find", which is an infinitive phrase.
- But the correct structure after "begs" should be:
➤ *begs that [subject] [verb in subjunctive]*

So we need to rephrase:
- "The firefighter begs that we not find the lost child..."
- Or more naturally: *...that we do not find...*

✔ The firefighter begs that we not find the lost child in the burnt-out building.

> ✔️ "not find" = negative subjunctive form (common after "beg", "demand", etc.)

---

## ✔ Final Answers:

1. It’s important that we take action against global climate change.
2. If they hadn’t escaped to the sanctuary during the blizzard, they might have died. *(no change)*
3. I advise that you wear a helmet to protect yourself from stalactites.
4. If you rip that paper, you won’t be able to enter the competition tomorrow. *(no change)*
5. Our teacher suggests that we help people suffering from famine.
6. The lava turns into stone after it cools down. *(no change)*
7. Tom insists that Jane wear a gas mask to protect herself from fumes.
8. The authorities implored that everybody be at home during the lightning storm.
9. Maggie advised that I stay away from the earthquake crater.
10. The firefighter begs that we not find the lost child in the burnt-out building.

---

📝 Summary of Key Rules Used:

- After verbs like suggest, insist, demand, advise, recommend, implore, use subjunctive (base verb form).
- Avoid "should" when possible — it's redundant.
- Use "be" instead of "is/are" after such verbs.
- For negative subjunctive: "not + base verb" (e.g., "not find").

Let me know if you'd like a printable version!