Welcome to the Subjunctive Quiz! Test your grasp of the subjunctive mood. Here, you’ll find sentences that might have been.
Choose the correct option to complete each one. Answers follow, so you can see where you stand. Let’s see if you have mastered this mood.
You can take this grammar quiz online or print it out. It assesses what you’ve learned on the Subjunctive page.
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Subjunctive Quiz test
Here are 15 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the subjunctive mood, followed by the answers and explanations
1. If I _____ you I would call her tonight.
a) was
b) were
c) be
2. I hope that he _____ his homework on time.
a) finish
b) finishes
c) is finishing
3. The Teacher asks that you _____ early for your first work day.
a) are
b) become
c) be
4. It is important that we _____ home as soon as we arrive.
a) call
b) called
c) is calling
5. We want the windows _____ washed before Sunday.
a) be
b) to be
c) become
6. If I ___ you, I would take a different approach.
A) was
B) were
C) am
7. I suggest that she ___ the report by tomorrow.
A) finish
B) finishes
C) finished
8. It’s crucial that he ___ on time for the meeting.
A) be
B) is
C) was
9. If only he ___ here with us now.
A) was
B) is
C) were
10. I wish it ___ not raining today.
A) was
B) were
C) is
11. The teacher demanded that we ___ our homework.
A) do
B) does
C) did
12. If she ___ the money, she would buy the car.
A) had
B) has
C) have
13. It is essential that everyone ___ their part.
A) play
B) plays
C) played
14. I would rather you ___ at the meeting yesterday.
A) were
B) was
C) be
15. He acts as if he ___ the manager.
A) is
B) was
C) were
Answers and Explanations of Subjunctive Practice Quiz
1. b) were. Explanation: This is a conditional sentence expressing a hypothetical situation. In English, the subjunctive mood is used in “if” clauses, where “were” is used for all persons to indicate a condition contrary to fact.
2. b) finishes Explanation: This sentence does not require the subjunctive mood since it expresses a hope for a future action that is not necessarily hypothetical to fact. Therefore, the simple present tense “finishes” is appropriate to indicate the expected action.
3. c) be Explanation: After verbs like “ask,” “demand,” “require,” or “suggest” that introduce a clause expressing a command or request, the subjunctive mood is used. Here, “be” is the base form needed in the subjunctive.
4. a) call Explanation: When using phrases like “it is important that,” the subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb to express necessity or importance. Thus, “call” is the correct choice.
5. a) be Explanation: This is another instance where the subjunctive mood is used after verbs expressing desire, command, or necessity (like “want”). The subjunctive here requires the base form “be” to express the desired state of the windows before Sunday.
6. B) were – The subjunctive mood is used in “if” clauses to express hypothetical situations. “Were” is used instead of “was” in all cases for the subjunctive.
7. A) finish – After verbs like “suggest,” “recommend,” or “insist,” the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb (“finish”) to indicate a suggestion or necessity.
8. A) be – With expressions like “it’s crucial,” “it’s necessary,” or “it’s important,” the subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb (“be”).
9. C) were – “If only” introduces a subjunctive wish or hypothetical situation, thus “were” is the correct form regardless of the subject.
10. B) were – “I wish” introduces a subjunctive mood where we express a wish contrary to fact, hence “were” is used.
11. A) do – After verbs like “demand,” the subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb to express a command or request.
12. A) had – In conditional sentences discussing hypothetical past situations, “had” is used in the subjunctive mood.
13. A) play – With phrases indicating necessity, the subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb (“play”).
14. A) were – “Would rather” introduces a subjunctive mood where we express preference, using “were” for all subjects.
15. C) were – “As if” introduces a subjunctive clause when expressing something that is not true or hypothetical, hence “were” is used.
Final Note about subjunctive quiz English
Congratulations on tackling the Subjunctive Quiz. Remember, the subjunctive mood might seem tricky, but it’s all about expressing what’s hypothetical, wished for, or suggested. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll master the art of “what if” in English.