Indicative vs. Subjunctive Lesson: A Quick Guide 

Lesson Overview

• What Are Indicative and Subjunctive Moods?
• Types of Indicative and Subjunctive Moods (Variations)
• Examples & How to Use Them
• How to Use Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood
• Common Mistakes & Tips
• Indicative vs. Subjunctive Assessment

Have you ever shared a fact or imagined a dream world? In grammar, the mood of a verb helps express whether a statement is real or hypothetical. Two key verb moods in English are indicative and subjunctive.

Understanding these helps improve both writing and speaking by making our communication clearer. By the end of this lesson, you'll know how to differentiate between these moods and use them correctly.

What Are Indicative and Subjunctive Moods?

The indicative mood is used for facts, statements, and questions about reality. It is the most common verb mood and helps us express real actions, beliefs, and opinions.

Examples:

• The sun rises in the east. (Fact)
• I love reading books. (Opinion stated as fact)
• Did you complete your homework? (Question about reality)

The indicative mood is important because it helps us clearly state what is happening in the real world.

The subjunctive mood is used for wishes, hypothetical situations, suggestions, or demands. It expresses things that are contrary to reality or uncertain.

Examples:

• If I were a bird, I would fly. (Hypothetical situation)
• I wish it were summer already. (Wish, contrary to reality)
• The teacher suggested that he study more. (Suggestion)

The subjunctive mood allows us to express possibilities and desires that may not be real at the moment.

Take This Quiz:

Indicative vs Subjunctive Quiz

Types of Indicative and Subjunctive Moods (Variations)

In English, the indicative mood is pretty straightforward-it covers any verb that states a fact or asks a question in the present, past, or future. We don't really break the indicative mood into sub-categories; whether you say "She runs," "She ran," or "She will run," all of those are indicative as long as they are actual or likely events. The types of sentences you see in indicative mood can be:

• Declarative sentences (statements): e.g., The water is cold. (a factual statement)
  
• Interrogative sentences (questions): e.g., Is the water cold? (a question about a fact)
  Both use indicative verb forms. So, you can think of the indicative mood as one broad category covering statements and questions about reality.

The subjunctive mood, however, has a couple of special uses or variations in English:

1. Present Subjunctive (sometimes called Formulaic or Mandative Subjunctive): This uses the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to") for all subjects, and it's common after certain verbs or phrases that indicate suggestions, demands, or necessities.

 For example:

• I suggest that he study tonight. (not "studies")
  
• They requested that she be present. (not "is")
  
• It is important that everyone finish their work. (not "finishes")
  
  In each case, the normal indicative form (he studies, she is, everyone finishes) changes to a base form (study, be, finish) because of the subjunctive construction. This present subjunctive doesn't change with he/she/it – it drops the usual -s or other endings.
  

2. Past Subjunctive (Hypothetical Subjunctive): This is most noticeable with the verb "to be" in hypothetical or wishful statements. Traditionally, English uses "were" for all subjects in these cases, even if the subject is singular​file-45utnbibpbpvxfltll6rky. For example:
   
   • If I were a superhero, I would fly. (We use were even though normally we'd say "I was" for past indicative. This tells us it's not a real situation, just imaginary.)
     
   • I wish she were here now. (We say were instead of "was" to show this is a wish, not reality.)
     
     For other verbs in past hypothetical statements, English often uses a helping verb like could or would: e.g., If I had a million dollars, I would buy a boat. Here "had" is actually the simple past form, but the overall mood is subjunctive because it's contrary to fact (I don't really have a million dollars now).

Examples & How to Use Them

Indicative Mood Examples:

1. Statement of Fact: She is reading a book.
2. Asking a Question: Did you see the movie?
3. Expressing Opinion: I think this painting is beautiful.

Subjunctive Mood Examples:

1. Wish: I wish she were here.
2. Hypothetical Situation: If he were taller, he could be a basketball player.
3. Suggestion/Demand: It is important that she be on time.

Key Clues to Identify Each Mood:

• If a sentence states a fact or asks a real question, it is indicative.
• If a sentence expresses a wish, hypothetical situation, or necessity, it is subjunctive.
• "Were" instead of "was" signals the subjunctive mood in hypothetical sentences.

How to Use Indicative vs. Subjunctive Mood

Using the Indicative Mood:

Use the indicative when:

• You state a fact: The dog barks at night.
• You express an opinion as a fact: I believe she is kind.
• You ask a direct question: Did he call you?

Using the Subjunctive Mood:

Use the subjunctive when:

• You express a wish: I wish he were here.
• You describe a hypothetical: If she were the teacher, things would change.
• You give a suggestion/demand: The law requires that everyone pay taxes.

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Incorrect: If I was rich, I would travel the world. (was should be were)
• Correct: If I were rich, I would travel the world.
• Incorrect: The coach insists that she practices daily. (practices should be practice)
• Correct: The coach insists that she practice daily.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive Assessment

A. Identify the Mood (Indicative or Subjunctive)

Write "Indicative" if the sentence is a fact/question and "Subjunctive" if it is a wish, hypothetical, or demand.

1. I wish I were a superhero.
2. She drinks coffee every morning.
3. The teacher suggested that he be quiet.
4. Did you see the sunset?
5. If I were taller, I could reach the top shelf.

B. Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb Form

1. If he ______ (was/were) stronger, he could lift that box.
2. The principal requires that each student ______ (be/is) on time.
3. Do you ______ (think/thought) it will rain today?
4. She wishes she ______ (had/has) a pet dog.
5. It is necessary that she ______ (do/does) her best.

C. Match the Sentence to the Mood

1. "She plays the piano well." → ( ) Indicative
2. "If only he were taller!" → ( ) Subjunctive
3. "The teacher demands that they be quiet." → ( ) Subjunctive
4. "Did you finish your homework?" → ( ) Indicative

Answers:

A. 1-Subjunctive, 2-Indicative, 3-Subjunctive, 4-Indicative, 5-Subjunctive
B. 1-were, 2-be, 3-think, 4-had, 5-do
C. 1-Indicative, 2-Subjunctive, 3-Subjunctive, 4-Indicative