Trusted by 10M+ learners worldwide — free lessons, tools & games
Forums Download App ⚡ Upgrade ★ Become a Tutor
Login Sign up free

Subjunctive Grammar Exercises: Level B2 (with Answers)

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B2 📚 Type: Grammar ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

How well do you really know Subjunctive? Find out with 15 exercises designed for B2 learners. Instant scoring shows exactly where you stand, and detailed explanations turn every mistake into a learning moment. Retake any time to measure your improvement.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: The manager insists that every employee ___ on time for the meeting.

Question 1 options
'be' is correct because after 'insists that', the subjunctive mood requires the base form of the verb for all subjects, including third-person singular. 'is' is the indicative form, 'was' is past indicative, and 'being' is a participle — none of these are the subjunctive base form.
Q2 15

Question 2: The doctor recommended that the patient ___ plenty of water every day.

Question 2 options
'drink' is correct because 'recommended that' triggers the subjunctive mood, which requires the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. 'drinks' is the third-person indicative, 'drank' is past indicative, and 'drinking' is a participle — none are the subjunctive base form.
Q3 15

Question 3: In the subjunctive mood, the verb always uses the base form regardless of the subject (first, second, or third person).

Question 3 options
True because the defining feature of the subjunctive mood is that the base form of the verb is used for all persons and numbers. This means, for example, 'she be' and 'he go' are correct subjunctive forms, even though they look unusual.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which situation correctly uses the subjunctive mood?

Question 4 options
The subjunctive is used after verbs of demand, suggestion, recommendation, or requirement to express something not yet certain or factual. 'I demand that he leave immediately' fits this use. The other options describe statements of fact or general habits, which use the indicative mood.
Q5 15

Question 5: Arrange the words to make a correct sentence:

Question 5 options
  • complete
  • that
  • the report
  • all staff
  • It is essential

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is 'It is essential that all staff complete the report' because after the adjective 'essential' and 'that', the subjunctive requires the base form 'complete' (not 'completes') for third-person plural subjects.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

Question 6 options
'I suggest that he take a different route' is correct because 'suggest that' triggers the subjunctive, requiring the base form 'take' rather than the third-person indicative 'takes'. The other sentences incorrectly use indicative forms after subjunctive-triggering verbs.
Q7 15

Question 7: A committee member says: 'We need a formal proposal.' The chairperson replies: 'I move that the committee ___ a vote before proceeding.' Which option correctly completes the reply?

Question 7 options
'hold' is correct because 'I move that' is a formal expression used in meetings that triggers the subjunctive mood, requiring the base form of the verb. 'holds' is the third-person indicative, 'held' is past tense, and 'is holding' is the present continuous — none fit the subjunctive.
Q8 15

Question 8: Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive rather than the indicative mood?

Question 8 options
'The rules require that each participant submit a form' is correct because 'require that' triggers the subjunctive base form 'submit'. The other options all use an indicative form ('submits', 'submitted', 'is submitting') after a subjunctive-triggering verb.
Q9 15

Question 9: Put the words/clauses in the correct order:

Question 9 options
  • that
  • The judge ordered
  • remain silent
  • the defendant

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is 'The judge ordered that the defendant remain silent' because 'ordered that' triggers the subjunctive, and the base form 'remain' must directly follow 'that' with its subject 'the defendant'.
Q10 15

Question 10: It is crucial that the new policy ___ all employees without exception.

Question 10 options
'cover' is correct because the adjective 'crucial' followed by 'that' triggers the subjunctive mood, requiring the base form of the verb. 'covers' is third-person indicative, 'covered' is past tense, and 'will cover' is future indicative — none are subjunctive base forms.
Q11 15

Question 11: Which statement about the subjunctive mood in English is true?

Question 11 options
Adjectives such as 'important', 'necessary', 'essential', 'imperative', and 'crucial', when followed by 'that', correctly trigger the subjunctive. The other statements are false: the subjunctive is not only used with 'wish'; it does not use past tense forms for third-person; and it applies to all persons, not just third-person singular.
Q12 15

Question 12: Rewrite using the subjunctive: 'She should attend the conference.' → The board requested that she ___ the conference.

Question 12 options
'attend' is correct because 'requested that' triggers the subjunctive, which requires the base form of the verb. 'attends' is third-person indicative, 'attended' is past tense, and 'should attend' reintroduces a modal which is not used in the subjunctive construction.
Q13 15

Question 13: Match each sentence to the correct grammar label.

Question 13 options
I wish I were able to travel more freely.
It is necessary that all members vote on the issue.
She locked the door lest anyone enter without permission.
They demanded that he return the stolen property.
Subjunctive triggered by a verb of demand
Subjunctive 'were' expressing a wish
Subjunctive used after 'lest'
Subjunctive triggered by an adjective + 'that'

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

The subjunctive is triggered by verbs of demand/suggestion/recommendation, adjectives like 'essential'/'important', hypothetical 'were' constructions, and the conjunction 'lest'. Each trigger corresponds to a distinct grammatical category.
Q14 15

Question 14: In hypothetical or unreal conditional sentences, 'were' is used for all persons (including 'I', 'he', 'she') as the subjunctive form of 'be'.

Question 14 options
True because 'were' is the subjunctive past form of 'be' and is used for all subjects in hypothetical or unreal situations, such as 'If I were you' or 'If she were here'. Using 'was' in these contexts is the indicative form and is considered non-standard in formal writing.
Q15 15

Question 15: Which sentence most naturally expresses a formal requirement using the subjunctive mood?

Question 15 options
'The regulations state that every applicant submit a certified copy' uses the subjunctive base form 'submit' in a formal requirement context. The option with 'submits' uses the indicative, 'must submit' uses a modal, and 'should submit' expresses advice rather than a formal requirement — the subjunctive is the most appropriate formal structure here.