Subjunctives Worksheets
All About These 15 Worksheets
The subjunctive mood might sound like something out of an old grammar textbook, but it’s actually one of the most expressive tools in language. It’s what we use when we want to talk about wishes, hopes, demands, or situations that aren’t quite real-like saying “I wish it were sunny” instead of “I wish it was sunny.” This collection of worksheets takes the mystery out of subjunctives by giving students plenty of hands-on practice with both recognition and creation.
The activities cover everything from filling in blanks and rewriting sentences to crafting imaginative “what if” scenarios. Some worksheets are structured and scaffolded, perfect for building confidence, while others let students get creative by writing their own wishful or hypothetical sentences. By mixing straightforward drills with open-ended exercises, learners build both accuracy and fluency. The variety ensures that students don’t just learn the rules-they also understand how to apply them naturally.
Most importantly, these worksheets show how the subjunctive mood connects to real communication. It’s the grammar of emotion, possibility, and imagination. Once learners get the hang of it, they can use the subjunctive to write more expressive essays, craft stronger dialogue, and bring nuance to their storytelling. This collection makes a tricky grammar mood both practical and fun.
Have a Look Inside Each Worksheet
Choosing Wisely
Students practice picking the correct verb forms in sentences that require the subjunctive mood. The activity reinforces careful attention to verb use. It helps learners see how subtle choices change meaning. By the end, they’ll feel more confident “choosing wisely” in tricky grammar situations.
Present Tense Rewrite
This worksheet has students rewrite present tense sentences into the subjunctive. It highlights how grammar shifts when expressing wishes, demands, or suggestions. The task builds editing and transformation skills. Learners see how verbs carry tone and intent.
Complete And Create
Students complete given sentences in the subjunctive, then create their own. The activity combines recognition with creativity. It shows how the subjunctive mood works in both structured and freeform writing. Learners gain practice applying the concept actively.
Fill In The Gaps
Here, students fill in blanks with correct subjunctive verb forms. The repetition builds accuracy and familiarity. The activity makes learning straightforward and focused. It’s a solid drill for mastering the basics.
Unscramble and Express
Students unscramble mixed-up sentences and rewrite them in proper subjunctive form. The activity blends logic with grammar. It trains both sentence structure skills and verb awareness. Learners practice making sense of jumbled language while applying the rules.
Rewriting The Past
This worksheet challenges learners to rewrite past tense sentences in the subjunctive mood. It emphasizes hypothetical and “if only” situations. The task makes abstract grammar feel relevant to storytelling. It connects grammar with expression and imagination.
The Word Box
Students select correct verbs from a word box to complete subjunctive sentences. The activity feels like plugging puzzle pieces into place. It provides helpful scaffolding for learners still building confidence. The structured support makes grammar less intimidating.
Decoding Moods
This worksheet asks learners to identify which sentences are subjunctive versus indicative. It builds recognition skills and strengthens awareness of mood. The activity encourages close reading and comparison. Students sharpen their ability to decode subtle grammar cues.
True or False Test
Students decide whether given subjunctive sentences are used correctly. The worksheet blends grammar with critical thinking. It keeps learners engaged by turning rules into a quick quiz format. It’s perfect for review and self-checking.
Mood Transformation
This worksheet has learners transform sentences from one mood into the subjunctive. It highlights how meaning shifts with verb mood changes. The task makes grammar both active and flexible. Students learn to adapt sentences for intent and tone.
Wishing For The Best
Students write sentences expressing wishes, hopes, or imaginary situations in the subjunctive. The activity connects grammar with creative writing. It shows how the mood captures emotions and hypotheticals. Learners get to see grammar as expressive, not just technical.
Constructing What-Ifs
This worksheet focuses on writing “what if” scenarios in the subjunctive mood. Students practice imagining possibilities and expressing hypotheticals. The task builds both grammar skills and creativity. It makes the subjunctive mood feel practical for storytelling.
Venturing Into The Past
Learners explore subjunctive forms used for past-time hypotheticals. They practice transforming verbs to capture “if only” and regretful tones. The activity strengthens nuanced grammar use. It helps students write with subtlety and depth.
Wishful Thinking
This worksheet highlights expressions of desire and wish in the subjunctive mood. Students complete and create sentences that capture longing or hope. The activity ties grammar directly to human emotions. It shows the subjunctive as a mood for expressing the heart.
Lost In Hypotheticals
Students dive into complex hypothetical scenarios using the subjunctive. The worksheet blends imagination with grammar practice. It trains learners to handle “what if” sentences smoothly. By the end, they’ll feel comfortable using the subjunctive for creative expression.
What Are Subjunctives?
In English grammar, subjunctives are a type of verb form that express hypothetical or non-factual situations. They are used to talk about things that are not necessarily true or real, but rather something that is wished, imagined, or hypothetical. There are two types of subjunctives: the present subjunctive and the past subjunctive.
The present subjunctive is used to express suggestions, commands, or requests, or to describe hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It is formed by using the base form of the verb (without “s” or “es” for third-person singular).
Example:
I suggest that he go to the doctor. (“go” is the present subjunctive form of “goes”)
It is important that she be here on time. (“be” is the present subjunctive form of “is”)
The past subjunctive, also known as the subjunctive II or the past subjunctive mood, is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the past. It is formed by using the past tense form of the verb, without the -ed ending for regular verbs.
Example:
If I were rich, I would travel the world. (“were” is the past subjunctive form of “was”)
If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam. (“had studied” is the past subjunctive form of “has studied”)
Note that in modern English, the past subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the past tense form of the verb. However, in some cases, the use of the past subjunctive form is still considered more appropriate or correct in certain contexts.
Subjunctives vs. Indicatives
In English grammar, the subjunctive mood and the indicative mood are two of the most commonly used verb moods. The indicative mood is used to express factual statements or questions, while the subjunctive mood is used to express hypothetical or non-factual situations, such as wishes, doubts, or suggestions.
The indicative mood is used to make statements of fact or ask questions. It is used when we want to make a statement or ask a question that is based on reality or facts. In the indicative mood, the verb form changes based on the tense of the sentence.
Example in present tense:
She speaks Spanish fluently. (“speaks” is the indicative present tense form of “speak”)
Example in past tense:
He studied for three hours last night. (“studied” is the indicative past tense form of “study”)
These worksheets give students the tools to recognize, practice, and master the subjunctive mood. By filling in gaps, decoding sentence moods, or writing their own wishful and hypothetical statements, learners start to see how flexible and expressive grammar can be. With practice, they’ll feel comfortable using the subjunctive to add richness and depth to their communication.