The Subjunctive Mood - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS2 · Grammar

Y6.1 The Subjunctive Mood

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The School Council Meeting

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this Year 6 grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Every year, the school council meets to plan the summer fete, and this year's meeting was the liveliest yet. The chairperson, Wesley, began by explaining that it was essential that every class be represented on the planning committee. 'If the weather were kinder this year,' he said, 'we could hold the whole fete on the field instead of squeezing everyone into the hall.' Priya proposed that the cake stall be moved closer to the entrance, so that visitors would notice it as soon as they arrived. The treasurer reminded everyone that, were the fete to raise less money than expected, the new library books would have to wait until next term. 'It is vital that the council finish planning today,' insisted Miss Adeyemi, 'because the letters must go home to parents by Friday.' After a long discussion, the council agreed that the fete be held on the last Saturday of term, weather permitting. Wesley closed the meeting by suggesting that everybody arrive early on the day to help set up the stalls.

1
The subjunctive mood is a special verb form used in formal English for wishes, hypothetical (imagined or unreal) situations, and formal suggestions or requirements. In the subjunctive mood, 'were' replaces 'was' for hypothetical situations, even after I, he, she or it. Tick the sentence in each pair that uses the subjunctive mood correctly.
(a)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) If I was taller, I would join the school basketball team.
  • B) If I were taller, I would join the school basketball team.
(b)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) She wishes she was going to the concert.
  • B) She wishes she were going to the concert.
(c)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) If he was in my class, we would sit together.
  • B) If he were in my class, we would sit together.
(d)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) I wish today was a school holiday.
  • B) I wish today were a school holiday.
2
Circle both examples of the subjunctive form 'were' (used instead of 'was') in the sentence below.

If the weather were kinder and the ticket price were lower, more families would come to the fete.
(2)
3
Underline the subjunctive verb form in each sentence below.
(a)It is essential that the museum stay open later on Fridays.(1)
(b)The doctor recommended that he rest for a week.(1)
(c)The head teacher insists that every visitor sign the register.(1)
4
Tick the two sentences below that use the subjunctive mood correctly.
  • A) The manager insists that every driver wears a seatbelt.
  • B) The manager insists that every driver wear a seatbelt.
  • C) It is important that the shop closes early on Sundays.
  • D) It is important that the shop close early on Sundays.
5
Circle the correct subjunctive form to complete each sentence.
(a)If I ___ in charge of the school council, I would add a recycling scheme.(1)
  • was
  • were
(b)The chairperson requested that every member ___ on time.(1)
  • arrives
  • arrive
6
Sort the six sentences from the box into the correct column of the table below: Subjunctive mood, or Indicative mood (the normal, everyday form).

Word bank:
A. If I were older, I would travel the world.
B. I was tired after the long walk.
C. The manager suggested that the team be given more time.
D. The manager said that the team was doing well.
E. It is essential that every member arrive by nine o'clock.
F. Every member arrives by nine o'clock every day.
Subjunctive moodIndicative mood
(6)
7
Rewrite each sentence below, correcting the verb so that it uses the subjunctive mood correctly.
(a)If I was you, I would ask an adult for help before crossing that busy road.(1)
(b)It is important that the library stays open later on Fridays during exam week.(1)
(c)I wish I was allowed to stay up later at the weekend.(1)
8
Complete each formal sentence with the correct subjunctive form of the verb in brackets.
(a)It is vital that the fire exits ___ (be) kept clear at all times.(1)
(b)The committee recommended that the school trip ___ (take) place in June.(1)
(c)If the entrance fee ___ (be) lower, more families would attend the fete.(1)
(d)The head teacher insisted that latecomers ___ (wait) outside the hall.(1)
9
Rewrite each sentence below using the formal inverted pattern 'Were ... to ...' instead of 'If ... were to ...'.
(a)If the fete were to be rained off, the money raised would be lost.(1)
(b)If the head teacher were to agree, the school trip would go ahead next month.(1)
10
Combine each pair of sentences below into one sentence, using the word given and the subjunctive mood.
(a)(suggest) The doctor gave some advice. He rests for a few days.(2)
(b)(require) The safety rule is clear. Every player wears a helmet.(2)
11
Look again at the passage 'The School Council Meeting' above. Find and copy the subjunctive verb form that matches each meaning below.
(a)The word showing that it was necessary for every class to have a representative on the committee.(1)
(b)The word showing the imagined possibility of kinder weather this year.(1)
12
In the passage, the treasurer says that, 'were the fete to raise less money than expected, the new library books would have to wait until next term.' Explain why the writer uses this formal, inverted subjunctive pattern rather than writing 'if the fete was to raise less money'.
(2)
13
Each sentence below contains an error with the subjunctive mood. Find the mistake and rewrite each sentence correctly.
(a)If I was the school council chairperson, I would change the rules.(1)
(b)The committee proposed that the meeting starts earlier next week.(1)
(c)It is essential that every pupil brings a coat on the school trip.(1)
(d)She wishes she was chosen for the school choir.(1)
14
The paragraph below contains three subjunctive mood errors. Find the three mistakes and write the paragraph out correctly.

Wesley suggested that the council votes on the idea straightaway. Priya said that if she was in charge, she would ask every class for their opinion first. The head teacher insisted that the final decision comes from the whole school, not just the council.
(3)
15
Read these two sentences.

A) The teacher said that pupils are quiet during the test.
B) The teacher insisted that pupils be quiet during the test.

Explain the difference in meaning and formality between sentence A and sentence B.
(2)
16
Write one sentence of your own for each instruction below. Use the subjunctive mood correctly in each sentence.
(a)Write a sentence beginning 'If I were ...' to describe a hypothetical (imagined) situation.(2)
(b)Write a sentence using one of the words insist, suggest, propose, recommend or demand, followed by 'that' and the correct subjunctive verb form.(2)
17
Write a short, formal paragraph (four to five sentences) as if you were writing the minutes of a school council meeting, recommending a change to the school day. Use at least three different subjunctive mood forms (for example, were, be, arrive, or the pattern 'Were ... to ...') to keep the writing suitably formal.
(4)
Mark scheme · Y6.1 The Subjunctive Mood

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

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Question 6

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Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17