The Subjunctive Mood Practice Test — Advanced

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1The committee recommended that the candidate ___ the proposal by Friday.

   Aresubmit Bwill resubmit Cresubmits Dresubmitted

   Answer: A. resubmit

   The mandative subjunctive — the base form used after verbs of demand or recommendation — is required here. The verb 'recommended' acts as a trigger, requiring the base form 'resubmit' regardless of the subject. Third-person singular indicative forms like 'resubmits' are incorrect because they treat the action as a reported fact rather than a desired requirement. The future form 'will resubmit' is typically avoided in this formal structure in favor of the subjunctive.

2. Q2It is essential that she ___ on time for the interview.

   Aarrives Bshould arrive Carrived Dis arriving

   Answer: B. should arrive

   In formal British English, the periphrastic construction using 'should' + the base form is a standard alternative to the pure subjunctive. The adjective 'essential' triggers this mandative structure. Both 'arrives' and 'is arriving' are indicative forms, which describe facts rather than requirements, and therefore lack the necessary authoritative meaning implied by 'essential'. 'Arrived' is a past indicative form that is semantically inappropriate for a present or future requirement.

3. Q3The professor insisted that every student ___ the essay draft before the deadline.

   Asubmitted Bhas submitted Csubmit Dsubmits

   Answer: C. submit

   The verb 'insisted' functions here as a mandative trigger. In such clauses, the subjunctive mood is realized through the base form 'submit'. The indicative 'submits' and the past tense 'submitted' are inappropriate because the clause describes a required action (deontic meaning) rather than an established fact. Using 'submit' neutralizes the subject-verb agreement for the singular 'every student', which is a hallmark of the mandative subjunctive.

4. Q4Choose the grammatically correct version: I suggest that he reconsider his decision before making a final commitment.

   AI suggest that he will reconsider his decision before making a final commitment. BI suggest that he reconsider his decision before making a final commitment. CI suggest that he has reconsidered his decision before making a final commitment. DI suggest that he reconsiders his decision before making a final commitment.

   Answer: B. I suggest that he reconsider his decision before making a final commitment.

   The mandative subjunctive following 'suggest' requires the bare infinitive (base form) 'reconsider'. The indicative form 'reconsiders' is incorrect in this formal context because it describes a factual state rather than a proposal. Modal forms like 'will reconsider' are generally avoided in professional and academic registers when a 'that' clause follows a verb of recommendation.

5. Q5The director demanded that he ___ at the meeting early.

   Aarrives Barrive Cis arriving Darrived

   Answer: B. arrive

   The verb 'demanded' expresses a strong requirement, triggering the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'arrive' is used regardless of the subject 'he'. Using the indicative 'arrives' or 'is arriving' shifts the meaning from a demand to a description of fact, which is semantically inconsistent with the main verb. 'Arrived' incorrectly places the required action in the past.

6. Q6It is imperative that the government ___ immediate action regarding the climate crisis.

   Ahas taken Btakes Ctook Dtake

   Answer: D. take

   Adjectives expressing necessity, such as 'imperative', trigger the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'take' is required to mark the action as desired but not yet factual. Using the indicative 'takes' or the past 'took' is considered informal in professional registers, where the distinct subjunctive form is preserved to emphasize that the action is a mandatory requirement.

7. Q7The board requested that the CEO ___ the financial records to the auditors.

   Adisclosed Bdisclose Cdiscloses Dshould disclosing

   Answer: B. disclose

   A 'request' in a formal context triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'disclose' is the standard choice. 'Discloses' is incorrect as it is an indicative present form, which would imply the CEO is already disclosing the records as a matter of fact. 'Should disclosing' is grammatically ill-formed, as the modal 'should' must be followed by the base form 'disclose'.

8. Q8Which sentence is correct?

   AThe teacher suggested that she study harder. BThe teacher suggested that she is studying harder. CThe teacher suggested that she studied harder. DThe teacher suggested that she studies harder.

   Answer: A. The teacher suggested that she study harder.

   The clause 'that she study harder' uses the mandative subjunctive (base form) as required by the verb 'suggested'. 'Studies' (present indicative) and 'studied' (past indicative) are incorrect because they treat the teacher's suggestion as a report of an existing fact or a past event, whereas the subjunctive marks it as a recommended action.

9. Q9Choose the grammatically correct version: The union proposed that the management review the current salary structure.

   AThe union proposed that the management reviews the current salary structure. BThe union proposed that the management is reviewing the current salary structure. CThe union proposed that the management review the current salary structure. DThe union proposed that the management reviewed the current salary structure.

   Answer: C. The union proposed that the management review the current salary structure.

   Formal proposals utilize the mandative subjunctive. 'Review' is the correct base form for the subordinate clause. Indicative forms such as 'reviews' or 'reviewed' incorrectly frame the action as a factual occurrence rather than a proposal under consideration. In formal documents, the base form is used to emphasize that the action is pending approval.

10. Q10It is necessary that he ___ before the storm begins.

    Ais leaving Bleft Cleave Dleaves

    Answer: C. leave

    The matrix clause 'it is necessary that' triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'leave' is required. 'Leaves' is indicative, 'left' is past indicative, and 'is leaving' is progressive indicative; none of these forms capture the sense of necessity or requirement expressed by 'necessary'. The subjunctive 'leave' highlights the action as a requirement that has not yet occurred.

11. Q11The doctor advised that he ___ a specialist for further consultation.

    Ais seeing Bshould see Csees Dsaw

    Answer: B. should see

    In British English, the periphrastic 'should' + base form ('should see') is the standard way to express the mandative subjunctive after verbs of advice. While American English might prefer the pure base form 'see', the other options ('sees', 'saw', 'is seeing') are indicative and do not fit the formal mandative context, which requires a sense of recommendation rather than fact.

12. Q12It was requested that the applicant ___ his credentials at the reception desk.

    Apresents Bhas presented Cpresent Dpresented

    Answer: C. present

    The passive matrix 'It was requested that' triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'present' is required for the subordinate verb. 'Presents' is a 3rd-person singular indicative form, and 'presented' is a past indicative form; neither is appropriate for a formal mandative clause, as they describe actions as facts rather than as requested tasks.

13. Q13The client urged that the lawyer ___ the case immediately.

    Adrops Bdrop Cdropped Dis dropping

    Answer: B. drop

    The verb 'urge' conveys strong pressure, triggering the mandative subjunctive. Consequently, the base form 'drop' is used. The indicative 'drops' or the past 'dropped' are incorrect as they imply factuality (that the lawyer is already dropping or did drop the case) rather than the client's desired action.

14. Q14Which sentence is correct?

    AShe recommended that he is more careful. BShe recommended that he should be more careful. CShe recommended that he was more careful. DShe recommended that he will be more careful.

    Answer: B. She recommended that he should be more careful.

    The periphrastic 'should' construction is a standard formal alternative to the pure subjunctive in British English. 'Was' and 'is' are indicative forms that incorrectly frame the recommendation as an existing fact. 'Will be' is future indicative and lacks the mandative force (the sense of requirement) provided by 'should' or the base form 'be'.

15. Q15It is crucial that the system ___ updated every quarter.

    Awill be Bbe Cis Dwas

    Answer: B. be

    In this passive mandative construction triggered by 'crucial', the auxiliary verb must be in the base form 'be'. Using 'is' (indicative) or 'was' (past indicative) fails to maintain the subjunctive mood required by the matrix adjective. 'Will be' is future indicative and lacks the formal sense of obligation or necessity required in academic or technical writing.

16. Q16The contract stipulates that all fees ___ paid in advance.

    Awill be Bwere Cbe Dare

    Answer: C. be

    In legal and highly formal registers, verbs like 'stipulate' trigger the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'be' is used to express a requirement. 'Are' is indicative and too informal for this register, as it treats the requirement as a description of current fact rather than a contractual obligation. 'Were' and 'will be' shift the temporal meaning of the stipulation.

17. Q17It is hereby ordered that the defendant ___ before the court tomorrow.

    Aappeared Bappear Cappears Dis appearing

    Answer: B. appear

    Formal judicial orders trigger the mandative subjunctive, necessitating the base form 'appear'. The indicative 'appears' or 'is appearing' are inappropriate for the legal register of an order, which prescribes future conduct rather than describing current states. The base form preserves the authoritative tone of the legal command.

18. Q18___ it not for your assistance, we would have failed the project.

    AHad BAre CWas DWere

    Answer: D. Were

    This is an inverted mixed conditional. The 'were it not for' clause uses the were-subjunctive to describe a hypothetical ongoing state (inverted for formality), while the result 'would have failed' refers to a past outcome. 'Was' is common in casual speech but is considered non-standard in this formal inversion. 'Had' would require a past perfect structure ('Had it not been for') to form a pure third conditional.

19. Q19Choose the grammatically correct version: The board resolved that the matter be investigated by an independent body.

    AThe board resolved that the matter be investigated by an independent body. BThe board resolved that the matter will be investigated by an independent body. CThe board resolved that the matter is investigated by an independent body. DThe board resolved that the matter was investigated by an independent body.

    Answer: A. The board resolved that the matter be investigated by an independent body.

    The verb 'resolved' in a formal meeting context triggers the mandative subjunctive. In the passive voice, this requires the base form 'be' followed by the past participle ('be investigated'). 'Is' and 'was' are indicative, treating the motion as a factual report, and 'will be' is future indicative, lacking the formal authoritative weight of a resolution.

20. Q20The rules say that every member ___ their dues on time.

    Apaid Bpays Cpay Dis paying

    Answer: B. pays

    The verb 'say' typically introduces an indicative report of a rule or a factual statement rather than an authoritative demand (unlike 'require' or 'mandate'). Therefore, the indicative 'pays' is the correct form for the singular subject 'every member'. The subjunctive 'pay' would only be used if 'say' were functioning as a mandative trigger, which is non-standard for this neutral verb.

21. Q21___ this to happen, the consequences would be severe.

    AWere BWas CHad DDid

    Answer: A. Were

    This is an inverted second conditional (the 'were-to' construction) used to express a remote hypothetical event. 'Were this to happen' is a formal way of saying 'If this were to happen'. 'Was' is avoided in this formal inversion. 'Did' would take a base form ('Did this happen') but is typically used for simple conditions rather than remote hypotheticals. 'Had' is used for past counterfactuals.

22. Q22It is required that the equipment ___ handled with extreme care.

    Ais Bwill be Cbe Dwas

    Answer: C. be

    The adjective 'required' triggers the mandative subjunctive. In the passive voice, the base form 'be' is used as the auxiliary. Indicative forms ('is', 'was') or the future 'will be' are grammatically incorrect in a formal mandative 'that' clause because they fail to convey the sense of official requirement (deontic force) provided by the base form 'be'.

23. Q23The judge decreed that the prisoner ___ released immediately.

    Abe Bwill be Cwas Dis

    Answer: A. be

    A 'decree' is a formal legal order that triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'be' is the correct auxiliary for the passive construction. Using 'is', 'was', or 'will be' is inappropriate for the prescriptive, formal register of a judicial decree, as these forms describe reality rather than imposing a legal mandate.

24. Q24Which sentence is correct?

    AWas he to arrive late, he would be penalized. BHad he to arrive late, he would be penalized. CIs he to arrive late, he would be penalized. DWere he to arrive late, he would be penalized.

    Answer: D. Were he to arrive late, he would be penalized.

    The 'were-to' inversion is used for hypothetical conditions in formal English. 'Were he to arrive' is the inverted form of 'If he were to arrive'. 'Was' is not used in this specific inverted subjunctive structure. 'Is' would form a factual condition, and 'Had' would require a past perfect structure for a past counterfactual.

25. Q25Choose the grammatically correct version: The regulation mandates that all visitors carry photo identification.

    AThe regulation mandates that all visitors carried photo identification. BThe regulation mandates that all visitors carries photo identification. CThe regulation mandates that all visitors carry photo identification. DThe regulation mandates that all visitors are carrying photo identification.

    Answer: C. The regulation mandates that all visitors carry photo identification.

    The verb 'mandates' is a primary trigger for the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'carry' is required for all subjects. 'Carries' is a singular indicative form and 'carried' is a past form; both are incorrect because they treat the regulation as a description of fact. The subjunctive 'carry' correctly emphasizes the action as a requirement.

26. Q26It is ordered that the witness ___ in person.

    Atestified Btestify Cis testifying Dtestifies

    Answer: B. testify

    Formal orders use the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'testify' is used despite the singular subject 'witness'. The indicative 'testifies' and 'is testifying' treat the action as a factual report rather than an authoritative directive. Using the base form identifies the action as a requirement of the court.

27. Q27___ it not for the heavy rain, we would have walked to the station.

    ADid BWas CWere DHad

    Answer: C. Were

    This is an inverted mixed conditional. 'Were it not for' is a standard formal inversion used to express a hypothetical ongoing state, while the result 'would have walked' refers to a past consequence. 'Was' is considered too informal for this construction, and 'Had' would belong to a pure third conditional ('Had it not been for').

28. Q28The bylaws demand that the treasurer ___ an annual report.

    Asubmitted Bsubmits Cis submitting Dsubmit

    Answer: D. submit

    The verb 'demand' triggers the mandative subjunctive, requiring the base form 'submit'. Indicative forms like 'submits' (present) or 'is submitting' (progressive) are avoided in formal documents like bylaws. The subjunctive mood is used here to express that the submission is a requirement, not necessarily an established fact.

29. Q29Which sentence is correct?

    AIt is vital that he will be informed. BIt is vital that he was informed. CIt is vital that he be informed. DIt is vital that he is informed.

    Answer: C. It is vital that he be informed.

    The adjective 'vital' triggers the mandative subjunctive. In a passive construction, the base form 'be' must be used ('be informed'). 'Is informed' is indicative and 'will be informed' is future indicative; neither is standard for the mandative subjunctive, which specifically requires the base form to show necessity.

30. Q30The statute provides that the tax ___ levied on all luxury goods.

    Awas Bbe Cis Dwill be

    Answer: B. be

    In legal statutes, the verb 'provide' often triggers the mandative subjunctive to express a requirement or rule. The base form 'be' is the standard auxiliary for the passive voice in this register. Indicative forms ('is', 'was', 'will be') are inappropriate for the prescriptive nature of the law, which dictates what must happen rather than what is currently happening.

31. Q31She kept the news secret lest it ___ panic among the staff.

    Acaused Bcause Ccauses Dwould cause

    Answer: B. cause

    The conjunction 'lest' introduces a negative purpose clause (meaning 'for fear that' or 'to prevent'). In formal or literary English, 'lest' triggers the subjunctive mood, which uses the base form 'cause'. 'Causes' is indicative, and 'would cause' is a modal construction that is less standard than the pure subjunctive after 'lest'. The subjunctive focuses on the potentiality of the event being avoided.

32. Q32He worked quietly lest he ___ the sleeping children.

    Awakes Bwake Cwoke Dwaked

    Answer: B. wake

    'Lest' triggers the subjunctive mood in formal English to express a negative purpose. The base form 'wake' is used to describe the state he wishes to avoid. Indicative forms such as 'wakes' (present) or 'woke' (past) are not used in this specific formal grammatical environment because they treat the event as a fact rather than a possibility.

33. Q33Choose the grammatically correct version: He checked the locks again lest someone break in.

    AHe checked the locks again lest someone break in. BHe checked the locks again lest someone is breaking in. CHe checked the locks again lest someone would break in. DHe checked the locks again lest someone broke in.

    Answer: A. He checked the locks again lest someone break in.

    Following the conjunction 'lest', the subjunctive mood (base form 'break') is employed to express something that is being avoided. 'Broke' is past indicative and 'would break' is a conditional construction; neither is the traditional subjunctive form required by 'lest'. The use of 'break' emphasizes the purpose of checking the locks.

34. Q34I wish I ___ more time to study for the examination.

    Ahad had Bhave Chad Dwould have

    Answer: C. had

    The verb 'wish' followed by a present counterfactual state — something not true in reality at the moment — requires the past subjunctive. For the verb 'have', the past subjunctive is 'had'. 'Have' is present indicative (factual), and 'had had' is the past perfect subjunctive, which is used for regrets about the past rather than the present.

35. Q35She insisted that he ___ invited to the gala.

    Ais Bwill be Cwas Dbe

    Answer: D. be

    The verb 'insist' (when meaning to demand) triggers the mandative subjunctive. In the passive voice, the base form 'be' is required ('be invited'). 'Was' and 'is' are indicative and do not reflect the mandatory nature of the statement. The subjunctive 'be' indicates that she is demanding the invitation happen, not stating that it already has.

36. Q36The committee moved that the proposal ___ rejected.

    Awill be Bis Cwas Dbe

    Answer: D. be

    In formal parliamentary procedure, the verb 'move' (to make a formal proposal) triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'be' is required for the passive 'be rejected'. Indicative forms like 'is' or 'was' fail to convey the procedural, non-factual status of the motion, which is a recommendation for action.

37. Q37Which sentence is correct?

    AHe walked carefully lest he would trip. BHe walked carefully lest he trip. CHe walked carefully lest he trips. DHe walked carefully lest he tripped.

    Answer: B. He walked carefully lest he trip.

    The conjunction 'lest' is followed by the base form subjunctive 'trip'. 'Trips' (indicative) and 'tripped' (past indicative) do not align with the formal requirement of the 'lest' clause. While 'should trip' is also acceptable in British English, 'would trip' is generally considered a non-standard alternative in this construction.

38. Q38I wish the weather ___ better today.

    Ais Bwould be Cwas Dwere

    Answer: D. were

    In formal English, the 'were-subjunctive' is used after 'wish' to express a counterfactual present state — something that is currently not true. While 'was' is common in casual speech, 'were' is the standard choice for the subjunctive mood with the verb 'to be'. 'Is' is indicative, and 'would be' is typically used for wishes about future behavior or habits.

39. Q39Choose the grammatically correct version: The supervisor suggested that she leave the office early.

    AThe supervisor suggested that she leave the office early. BThe supervisor suggested that she is leaving the office early. CThe supervisor suggested that she left the office early. DThe supervisor suggested that she leaves the office early.

    Answer: A. The supervisor suggested that she leave the office early.

    The verb 'suggested' triggers the mandative subjunctive, requiring the base form 'leave'. The 3rd-person indicative 'leaves' is incorrect because it treats the suggestion as a report of a current fact. The subjunctive form 'leave' emphasizes the suggestion as an action to be realized rather than an ongoing situation.

40. Q40They kept the door closed lest the cat ___.

    Aescaped Bis escaping Cescape Descapes

    Answer: C. escape

    The formal conjunction 'lest' triggers the base form subjunctive 'escape' to show negative purpose. 'Escaped' and 'escapes' are indicative forms that treat the event as a factual occurrence rather than a possibility to be avoided. The subjunctive preserves the formal tone of the purpose clause.

41. Q41It is requested that all attendees ___ their phones switched off.

    Akeeps Bare keeping Ckeep Dkept

    Answer: C. keep

    The matrix 'It is requested that' triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'keep' is used for all subjects. 'Kept' is past indicative and 'keeps' is a singular indicative form; neither is appropriate for this mandative structure. Using 'keep' indicates that this is a requirement of attendance, not a description of what attendees are already doing.

42. Q42Which sentence is correct?

    AIt is essential that he is coming alone. BIt is essential that he come alone. CIt is essential that he came alone. DIt is essential that he comes alone.

    Answer: B. It is essential that he come alone.

    The adjective 'essential' requires the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'come' is used. 'Comes' is indicative and 'is coming' is progressive indicative; these describe current facts rather than necessities. Only the base form 'come' correctly expresses the sense of requirement (deontic meaning) associated with 'essential'.

43. Q43The order was that the soldiers ___ at dawn.

    Amarches Bmarched Care marching Dmarch

    Answer: D. march

    When a noun like 'order' is followed by a content clause, it triggers the mandative subjunctive. The base form 'march' is used. Indicative forms such as 'marched', 'marches', or 'are marching' do not convey the authoritative force of the command, as they describe actions as facts rather than as directives to be followed.

44. Q44I wish I ___ known about the meeting earlier.

    Awould have Bhad Chave Ddid

    Answer: B. had

    To express a regret about a past situation — a past counterfactual — 'wish' is followed by the past perfect 'had known'. 'Have known' is present perfect and 'did' is simple past; neither satisfies the requirements for expressing a wish about a completed past event. 'Would have' is used in the result clause of a conditional, not usually after 'wish' for past regrets.

45. Q45He spoke softly lest he ___ the audience.

    Awould disturb Bdisturb Cdisturbs Ddisturbed

    Answer: B. disturb

    The subordinating conjunction 'lest' triggers the subjunctive mood in a formal register, necessitating the base form 'disturb'. 'Disturbs' (present) and 'disturbed' (past) are indicative forms that are inappropriate for this specific formal construction, which describes a potential outcome that the speaker is actively trying to avoid.