The subjunctive
You learn the subjunctive: if I were you, and I insist that he be quiet.
How to do the test
- Ask if the sentence is about something not real, or something someone insists on.
- After if and I wish, use were.
- After insist, require and vital, use be.
A worked example
Type the missing verb form. If I ___ (be) you, I would say sorry.
- After if and I wish, formal English uses were for I, he, she and it.
- It is used for something that is not real or that someone insists on.
- The subjunctive form is were.
More examples
Type the missing verb form. The rule requires that every pupil ___ (be) on time.
- After insist, require and vital, formal English uses be.
- It is used for something that is not real or that someone insists on.
- The subjunctive form is be.
Type the missing verb form. If I ___ (be) a bird, I would fly south.
- After if and I wish, formal English uses were for I, he, she and it.
- It is used for something that is not real or that someone insists on.
- The subjunctive form is were.
Try it yourself
Type the missing verb form.
If I ___ (be) you, I would say sorry.
Type the missing verb form.
The teacher demanded that Tom ___ (be) quiet.
Watch out
You write if I was you.
In formal writing the sentence is not real, so use were: if I were you.
Tips
- If you can finish the sentence with would, it is probably not real, and you need were.
Why it works
The subjunctive is a formal form used for something that is not real or that someone insists on. After if and I wish it uses were, even for I, he, she and it. After insist, require and vital it uses be.