Basics of the subjunctive mood. 45 questions on the mandative subjunctive after verbs of volition and fixed subjunctive expressions.
What this test covers
- Mandative Subjunctive Form
- Verbs & Adjectives That Trigger Subjunctive
- Subjunctive in Fixed Expressions
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
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.
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Q1It is imperative that the lead negotiator ___ present at the final signing of the treaty.
Answer: C. be
After words like 'imperative' or 'important,' we use the simplest form of the verb. Even though we usually say 'he is,' we use 'be' here. For example: 'It is important that she be here.'
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Q2The board of directors recommended that the CEO ___ the quarterly report before the fiscal year ends.
Answer: B. submit
When we recommend something, we use the simplest form of the verb. We don't add -s (submits), -ed (submitted), or -ing (submitting). Just use the plain word: 'submit'.
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Q3I suggest that he ___ a specialist immediately if the symptoms persist.
Answer: D. see
After the word 'suggest,' we use the base form of the action. Even for 'he,' 'she,' or 'it,' we do not add an -s. Use 'see' instead of 'sees'.
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Q4It is vital that the witness ___ calm during the intense cross-examination.
Answer: C. be
With the word 'vital,' we use the plain form 'be.' We don't use 'is' or 'was.' It sounds different, but 'be' is the correct choice in this special pattern.
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Q5The professor insisted that every student ___ their research paper by the Friday deadline.
Answer: B. finish
When someone insists on something, we use the base form of the verb. Even for 'every student,' we use 'finish' without any extra letters like -es or -ed.
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Q6It is vital that he ___ the security gate before leaving the premises tonight.
Answer: A. lock
After 'it is vital that,' use the plain verb 'lock.' Don't use 'locks' with an -s or 'locked' with -ed. Just the simple verb form.
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Q7The committee requested that the chairperson ___ a formal statement later this afternoon.
Answer: A. send
After the word 'request,' we use the simplest form of the verb. 'Send' is correct. Avoid adding -s (sends) or -ing (sending).
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Q8It is necessary that every participant ___ their identification card for security verification.
Answer: A. bring
When we use 'it is necessary that,' the next verb should be in its simple base form. Use 'bring' instead of 'brings' or 'brought'.
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Q9The health department demanded that the restaurant ___ smoking in the dining area immediately.
Answer: B. quit
The word 'demand' is followed by a simple verb form. Use 'quit.' Words like 'quits' or 'quitting' are not used in this pattern.
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Q10It is crucial that she ___ thoroughly for the upcoming board presentation.
Answer: A. prepare
After 'it is crucial that,' use the simple verb 'prepare.' Even for 'she,' we don't add -s (prepares) or -ing (preparing).
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Q11I urge that he ___ the truth regarding the financial discrepancies found in the audit.
Answer: B. tell
When you urge someone to do something, use the simple form 'tell.' We don't use the past 'told' or the -s form 'tells' in this sentence structure.
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Q12It is required that the applicant ___ the contract in the presence of a notary.
Answer: D. sign
After 'it is required that,' use the plain verb 'sign.' Don't use 'signs,' 'signed,' or 'signing.' It stays simple.
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Q13The consultant proposed that we ___ a more sustainable business model for the future.
Answer: A. develop
The verb 'propose' is followed by the base form of the next verb. Use 'develop.' Do not add -s or -ing.
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Q14It is recommended that the patient ___ plenty of fluids during the recovery period.
Answer: B. drink
After 'it is recommended that,' we use the base form 'drink.' We don't use 'drinks' or the past form 'drank'.
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Q15The director asked that he ___ the office early to avoid the heavy evening traffic.
Answer: D. leave
After 'asked that,' use the simple verb form 'leave.' Even though we usually say 'he leaves,' this special structure requires 'leave' without the -s.
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Q16Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. It is vital that he be here.
In sentences starting with 'It is vital that,' we use the simple verb 'be.' Other forms like 'is' or 'was' are not correct here.
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Q17Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: C. I suggest that she go home.
After 'suggest that,' use the base form 'go.' We don't use 'goes' or 'went' in this type of sentence, even for 'she'.
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Q18Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. The doctor recommends that he rest.
After 'recommends that,' use the simple verb 'rest.' We don't add -s (rests) or use the past (rested).
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Q19Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. It is necessary that she study.
With 'It is necessary that,' use the plain verb 'study.' Don't use 'studies' with an -s or 'is studying'.
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Q20Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. They insisted that he come.
After 'insisted that,' we use the simple form 'come.' Even though it's about 'he,' we don't use 'comes' or the past 'came'.
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Q21Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. It is important that he arrive.
After 'It is important that,' use the simple verb 'arrive.' Avoid using 'arrives' or 'arriving' in this pattern.
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Q22Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: D. She demands that he stop.
After 'demands that,' use the plain form 'stop.' Do not add -s (stops) or -ed (stopped).
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Q23Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. I propose that he take the test.
After 'propose that,' use the simple verb 'take.' Don't use 'takes' or 'took' in this sentence.
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Q24Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: B. It is essential that she be ready.
After 'It is essential that,' we use the base form 'be.' Don't use 'is' or 'was' here.
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Q25Choose the correct sentence:
Answer: A. The team requested that he speak.
After 'requested that,' use the plain verb 'speak.' We don't use 'speaks,' 'spoke,' or 'is speaking'.
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Q26Choose the correct version of the following sentence: It is necessary that he works harder.
Answer: A. It is necessary that he work harder.
After 'it is necessary that,' we use the simple form 'work.' We don't add -s even for 'he.' So, 'work' is correct and 'works' is incorrect.
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Q27Choose the correct version of the following sentence: I suggest that she applies for the job.
Answer: C. I suggest that she apply for the job.
After 'suggest that,' use the simple verb 'apply.' Don't add -s (applies) or use 'is applying'.
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Q28Choose the correct version of the following sentence: The boss insists that he is on time.
Answer: C. The boss insists that he be on time.
After 'insists that,' we use the base verb 'be.' Even if we usually say 'he is,' this special rule uses 'be'.
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Q29Choose the correct version of the following sentence: She recommended that he finishes the report.
Answer: B. She recommended that he finish the report.
After 'recommended that,' use the plain form 'finish.' Do not use 'finishes' with an -s or 'finished' with -ed.
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Q30Choose the correct version of the following sentence: It is vital that he tells the truth.
Answer: A. It is vital that he tell the truth.
After 'it is vital that,' use the simple verb 'tell.' Don't use 'tells' with an -s or the past form 'told'.
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Q31Choose the correct version of the following sentence: He requested that she arrives early.
Answer: C. He requested that she arrive early.
After 'requested that,' we use the plain form 'arrive.' Even for 'she,' we don't add -s (arrives) or use the past (arrived).
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Q32Choose the correct version of the following sentence: It is crucial that he listens to me.
Answer: B. It is crucial that he listen to me.
After 'it is crucial that,' use the simple verb 'listen.' We don't use 'listens' with an -s or 'listened'.
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Q33Choose the correct version of the following sentence: I suggest that he does it now.
Answer: D. I suggest that he do it now.
After 'suggest that,' use the simple verb 'do.' Even for 'he,' we do not use 'does' or 'did' in this structure.
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Q34Choose the correct version of the following sentence: They demand that he leaves immediately.
Answer: D. They demand that he leave immediately.
After 'demand that,' we use the simple verb 'leave.' We don't use 'leaves' or 'left' in this pattern.
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Q35Choose the correct version of the following sentence: It is important that he stays calm.
Answer: A. It is important that he stay calm.
After 'it is important that,' use the plain verb 'stay.' Don't use 'stays' with an -s or the past 'stayed'.
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Q36If ___, we can reschedule the meeting for tomorrow.
Answer: A. need be
This is a set phrase in English: 'if need be.' It means 'if it is necessary.' It always uses the simple form 'be'.
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Q37He will finish the project, ___.
Answer: B. come what may
This is a fixed expression: 'come what may.' It means 'no matter what happens.' We always use the base form 'come'.
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Q38___, we have to follow the rules.
Answer: D. Be that as it may
This is a set phrase: 'be that as it may.' It means 'even if that is true.' It always starts with 'be'.
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Q39The decision is made. ___, let's move on.
Answer: D. So be it
This is a fixed expression: 'so be it.' It means 'I accept that.' We always use 'be,' never 'is' or 'was'.
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Q40___ to say, we are very happy with the results.
Answer: D. Suffice it
This is a set expression: 'suffice it to say.' It means 'I will just say this.' We use 'suffice' without an -s.
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Q41Heaven ___ that we should ever face such a disaster.
Answer: B. forbid
This is a fixed expression: 'heaven forbid.' It means 'I hope this doesn't happen.' We use 'forbid' without an -s.
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Q42___ from me to criticize your hard work.
Answer: D. Far be it
This is a set phrase: 'far be it from me.' It is a polite way to disagree or criticize. It always uses 'be'.
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Q43The crowd cheered, 'Long ___ the King!'
Answer: B. live
In the phrase 'long live,' we use the base form of the verb. We say 'long live the King' to wish for a long life.
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Q44God ___ you in your new endeavors.
Answer: A. bless
In this common wish, we use the base form 'bless.' Even though 'God' is a singular subject, we don't say 'blesses' in this special phrase.
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Q45We must accept the outcome; ___.
Answer: C. thy will be done
This is a famous set phrase: 'thy will be done.' It means 'let your wish happen.' It uses the base form 'be'.
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