Verb Mood: Subjunctive vs. Imperative vs. Indicative on the SAT

English verbs have three moods. Indicative mood describes real events: "She runs every morning." Imperative mood gives commands or requests: "Run now!" Subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical, wishes, or conditions: "If she were to run, she would win." SAT writing tests whether you maintain consistent mood and use each appropriately. Most writing uses indicative mood (real statements). Subjunctive appears in if-clauses expressing hypotheticals (If she were tall...; If they were gone...) and in clauses expressing wishes or recommendations (I suggest that he study more; I wish he were here). Imperative appears in direct commands (Go immediately; Submit your work).

Subjunctive mood uses special forms: for the verb "to be," use "were" for all persons in hypothetical contexts (If I were you; If she were here), not "was." For other verbs, subjunctive form is usually identical to the base verb (suggest that he study, not studies). This distinction is subtle but tested frequently.

Subjunctive mood appears in specific sentence patterns. Trigger phrases: "If...were," "I wish...were," "I suggest that...," "It is recommended that...," "require that...," "demand that...," and similar structures requesting or wishing for something. When you spot these phrases, check the verb that follows. It should be in subjunctive form (were, study, go, etc., not was, studies, goes). For example: "I recommend that she study daily" (not studies); "If he were here" (not was); "It is essential that the deadline be met" (not is met). These constructions are formal and less common in casual speech, so they feel odd. Trust the rule: after these triggers, use subjunctive form.

Create a personal trigger-word list from passages you study. Add any new trigger phrases you encounter. Whenever you see one of these phrases, automatically expect subjunctive mood to follow. This pattern-recognition makes subjunctive detection instant.

Mixing moods in parallel structures creates errors. "She requested that he call her and to bring documents" mixes subjunctive (call) with imperative infinitive (to bring); correct form: "She requested that he call her and bring documents" (both subjunctive). When parallel clauses should be in the same mood, ensure they are. If you have a subjunctive trigger phrase applying to multiple verbs, all verbs must be subjunctive: "I recommend that he study harder and complete assignments" (not studies and completes). This appears on SAT questions testing whether students recognize mood parallelism.

Use the "trigger application" test: if a subjunctive trigger phrase (I recommend that...) precedes multiple verbs, ask whether it applies to all of them. If yes, all verbs should be subjunctive. Identify any verbs in indicative mood and flag them for correction.

Three frequent errors: (1) using "was" instead of "were" in hypothetical if-clauses, (2) using indicative mood (studies, calls) after subjunctive triggers instead of subjunctive mood (study, call), (3) mixing moods in parallel structures. Build a three-step mood-checking routine: (1) scan for subjunctive trigger phrases, (2) check the verb(s) that follow for subjunctive form, (3) verify consistency across parallel verbs. Apply this routine to every passage you edit. With practice, subjunctive detection becomes automatic, and you will catch mood errors in seconds.

Daily drill: find five sentences with subjunctive triggers and verify mood correctness. Rewrite two sentences with mood errors, correcting them. Time yourself to develop speed. By test day, mood checking should feel natural, not effortful.