The Subjunctive in That-Clauses: correct answers
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The formal subjunctive mood in English is used to express demands, recommendations, or necessities in that-clauses. Instead of using typical tense conjugation, the verb takes its base form (the bare infinitive), regardless of the subject. For example, we say, "I insist that he arrive on time" (not arrives) and "It is crucial that she not be disturbed" (not is not).
This challenge will test your mastery of this advanced structure across a variety of eccentric scenarios, from a demanding opera diva and a picky potion-making wizard to strict starship protocols. You will need to correctly identify and apply the active subjunctive ("wear", "remain"), the passive subjunctive ("be painted", "be taken"), the negative subjunctive ("not burn", "not awaken"), and even the tricky continuous subjunctive ("be sleeping").
You'll navigate 10 questions featuring a mix of drop-down, single-choice, multi-choice, and drag-and-drop formats. Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct answers are be sleeping, not awaken, and should be sleeping.
Adjectives expressing importance or necessity (like crucial, vital, essential, imperative) also trigger the subjunctive mood in the following that-clause.
- be sleeping: This is the continuous (or progressive) subjunctive, formed with be + present participle (-ing).
- not awaken: This is the standard negative subjunctive (not + base form).
- should be sleeping: This is the "putative should," a perfectly valid alternative to the subjunctive, widely used in both American and British English.
Does not awaken uses the indicative mood, which is inappropriate for formal subjunctive structures, and to sleep is an infinitive, which cannot act as the main verb in a that-clause.
Question 2
The correct answers are wear and be.
After verbs of requesting/insisting (like insist) and nouns of suggestion (like recommendation), the following that-clause requires the subjunctive mood.
Even though "every guest" is a third-person singular subject, we drop the "-s" and use the base form wear. Similarly, we use the base form be instead of the indicative is, even for a singular subject like "the court jester".
Question 3
Help the exhausted stage manager complete the diva's list of outrageous demands by choosing the correct verb form for each gap.
The opera star insisted that her dressing room be painted completely black before her arrival.
She also demanded that the director not speak to her directly during rehearsals.
Finally, it is crucial that a bowl of green M&Ms wait on her vanity table at all times.
The opera star insisted that her dressing room be painted completely black before her arrival.
After verbs of insisting, we use the subjunctive mood in the that-clause. The passive subjunctive uses the base verb "be" + past participle ("be painted").
She also demanded that the director not speak to her directly during rehearsals.
To form the negative subjunctive, we place "not" directly before the base form of the verb. We do not use "do not" or "doesn't".
Finally, it is crucial that a bowl of green M&Ms wait on her vanity table at all times.
After adjectives of importance (like "crucial"), we use the base form of the verb for all subjects. Even though "bowl" is singular, we drop the third-person "-s" and use "wait" instead of "waits".
Question 4
The correct answers are not be left and should not be left.
In formal English, verbs like demand, insist, and recommend trigger the mandative subjunctive in the following that-clause.
To form the negative passive subjunctive, we simply use not + be + past participle (e.g., not be left). We do not use "do/does" as an auxiliary verb in the subjunctive mood.
Using should + base verb (e.g., should not be left) is also perfectly correct and is especially common in British English as an alternative to the pure subjunctive.
Question 5
Help Dr. Von Quark finalize the safety protocols for his new time machine by choosing the correct verb form for each gap.
It is imperative that the temporal capacitor remain completely submerged in pickle juice.
I strongly recommend that my assistant, Igor, be wearing his lead underwear when the countdown begins.
Furthermore, I dictate that the dimensional portal not be opened until after lunch.
It is imperative that the temporal capacitor remain completely submerged in pickle juice.
Adjectives expressing urgency or necessity (like "imperative") trigger the subjunctive in the following that-clause. We use the base form of the verb ("remain") without an "-s".
I strongly recommend that my assistant, Igor, be wearing his lead underwear when the countdown begins.
Verbs of recommending trigger the subjunctive. Here, we need the continuous subjunctive form, which is "be" + present participle ("be wearing").
Furthermore, I dictate that the dimensional portal not be opened until after lunch.
This gap requires both the negative and passive subjunctive. We place "not" before the base form "be", followed by the past participle "opened".
Question 6
Complete the starship captain's urgent log entry with the grammatically correct phrase.
"It is imperative that the hyperdrive _____ offline immediately, lest the space-llamas notice our energy signature."
The correct answer is be taken.
Adjectives expressing urgency or importance (like "imperative", "crucial", or "essential") trigger the subjunctive mood in a that-clause. In the passive voice, the subjunctive uses "be" + the past participle, regardless of the subject.
Question 7
The correct answers are be released immediately, surrender his passport, and not leave the city limits.
The verb mandate requires the subjunctive mood in the that-clause. The subjunctive uses the bare infinitive (base form) of the verb for all subjects, including third-person singular (he/she/it).
- be released immediately: Correct passive subjunctive (be + past participle).
- surrender his passport: Correct active subjunctive (base form surrender, not surrenders).
- not leave the city limits: Correct negative subjunctive (not + base form).
Surrenders is the indicative mood, which is generally considered incorrect following mandated that in formal English. To be kept is an infinitive, which doesn't fit the grammatical structure of a that-clause.
Question 8
Choose the correct word to complete the eccentric billionaire's last will and testament.
"I stipulate that my beloved pet penguin, Sir Waddles, _____ fed only the finest imported caviar every morning."
The correct answer is be.
Formal verbs of commanding or stipulating (like "stipulate", "demand", or "order") require the base form of the verb in the that-clause. For the verb "to be", the base form is simply "be", even for third-person singular subjects like "Sir Waddles".
Question 9
The correct answers are be and not press.
When a that-clause follows an adjective of urgency (like crucial, essential, imperative) or a verb of demand (like demand, insist, require), we use the mandative subjunctive.
The subjunctive mood always uses the base form of the verb (e.g., be instead of is/are, and press instead of presses), regardless of the subject.
To make it negative, simply place not before the base verb (e.g., not press instead of does not press).
Question 10
Help Chef Linguini finish his dramatic kitchen rules by selecting the correct verb form.
"I absolutely insist that the new sous-chef _____ the garlic before the vampires arrive!"
The correct answer is not burn.
After verbs expressing a demand, request, or insistence (like "insist"), we use the subjunctive mood in the following that-clause. The negative subjunctive is formed simply by placing "not" before the base form of the verb, without "do/does".