Grade by Grade
B. Foundations of Language · Foundations: Grammar, Sentences and Punctuation

Verb Mood: Conditionals and the Subjunctive

B3.2 B3.1About 45 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can name the indicative, imperative and subjunctive moods and recognize conditional sentences.
  • I can build real and unreal conditional sentences with the right verb forms.
  • I can use the subjunctive for wishes, imaginary situations and formal requests.
  • I can avoid unneeded shifts in mood, especially in instructions.

Words to know

mood
The form of a verb that shows the writer's attitude: stating a fact, giving a command, or imagining something.
indicative mood
States facts and asks questions: The rink opens at noon. Does it open at noon?
imperative mood
Gives commands or requests: Wear your helmet.
subjunctive mood
Expresses wishes, imaginary situations and formal requests: I wish it were Friday. The coach asks that everyone be on time.
conditional sentence
An if sentence: one part states a condition and the other states the result. It may be real (possible) or unreal (imaginary).
hypothetical
Imagined or not true: If I were a bird...

Real or imaginary?

  • If it snows tomorrow, we will go tobogganing.
  • If it snowed in July, we would go tobogganing.
  • If it had snowed yesterday, we would have gone tobogganing.

The first sentence is about something that could really happen. The second imagines something unlikely. The third imagines a past that didn't happen. The verbs change to show which one you mean. This lesson is about verb mood: how verbs show whether something is a fact, a command or an imagined situation.

Two wooden toboggans and a red plastic sled resting at the bottom of a snowy hill with sled tracks, with small figures at the top.
A tobogganing hill on a snowy day. "If it snows tomorrow, we will go tobogganing" is a real possibility here; "If it snowed in July..." would be imaginary. AI-generated image
less and less realRealcould happenIf it snows tomorrow, we will go tobogganing.present + will + verbUnreal presentimagined, unlikelyIf it snowed in July, we would go tobogganing.past + would + verbUnreal pastdidn't happenIf it had snowed yesterday, we would have gone tobogganing.had + past participle + would have + past participle
Going down, the situation gets less real, and the verbs shift back in time: snows → snowed → had snowed, will → would → would have.
MoodWhat it doesExample
IndicativeStates facts, opinions and questionsThe library closes at six. Is it open on Sunday?
ImperativeGives a command or requestReturn your books by Friday.
SubjunctiveExpresses wishes, imagined situations and formal requestsI wish the library were open later.
The three verb moods. Some grammar books also talk about a conditional mood, using would, could or might: I would read more if I had time.
The librarycloses at six.Indicativestates a factReturn your booksby Friday!Imperativegives a commandI wish the librarywere open later.Subjunctivewishes and imagines
Three moods, three jobs: say what is, tell someone what to do, or imagine what you wish were true.

Building conditional sentences

A conditional sentence has two parts: an ***if-clause (the condition) and a result clause*. The verbs in both parts change depending on whether the situation is real or imaginary.

KindIf-clause verbResult-clause verbExample
Real (possible)presentwill + verbIf the ice is safe, we will skate.
Unreal present or future (imaginary)past (were for be)would + verbIf I had a canoe, I would paddle every day.
Unreal past (didn't happen)had + past participlewould have + past participleIf we had left earlier, we would have caught the ferry.
Three kinds of conditional sentences. Could or might can replace would.

The subjunctive in Grade 8 writing

The subjunctive is hard to spot because it often looks like other verb forms. Watch for three situations:

**1. Imaginary situations with if: use were** for every subject.

  • If I were the mayor, I would build more bike lanes.
  • If she were here, she would know what to do.

2. Wishes: I wish it were summer. My brother wishes he were taller.

3. Formal requests and demands after words like ask, insist, recommend, suggest, require, essential, important: use the base verb (no -s, no was).

  • The doctor recommends that he rest. (not rests)
  • It is essential that everyone be on time.

In everyday speech many people say If I was.... In formal writing, use were for imaginary situations.

But be careful: if the if describes something that really might have happened, use the ordinary indicative: If I was rude yesterday, I'm sorry. (Maybe I was rude; I'm not imagining it.)

Two common errors

  • ❌ If I would have known, I would have come. ✅ If I had known, I would have come. Don't put would in the if-clause.
  • ❌ I would of helped. ✅ I would have helped. (would've sounds like would of.)
Worked example

Let's build an unreal past conditional

Write a sentence: we didn't bring a map, so we got lost. Imagine the opposite.

  1. The real past: we didn't bring a map; we got lost.
  2. Imagine the opposite: we bring the map, and we don't get lost.
  3. Unreal past pattern: If + had + past participle, would have + past participle.
  4. If we had brought a map ... we wouldn't have gotten lost.

If we had brought a map, we wouldn't have gotten lost.

Worked example

Let's fix a mood shift in instructions

Fix: First, preheat the oven to 180 °C. Next, you should mix the flour and sugar. Then the eggs are added.

  1. Instructions use the imperative mood: commands.
  2. Sentence 1 is imperative. ✅
  3. you should mix switches to the indicative (a suggestion). Change to mix.
  4. the eggs are added switches to a passive statement. Change to add the eggs.

First, preheat the oven to 180 °C. Next, mix the flour and sugar. Then add the eggs. (Baking needs a grown-up for the hot oven.)

Why mood matters

Mood helps you read too. When a character says If I were brave, I would tell them, you know the character does not feel brave. When a news report says If the bill passes, taxes will rise, the writer is treating it as a real possibility. Conditionals also show up in science predictions: If the temperature rises, the gas will expand.

Just for fun

Why does the subjunctive never stop daydreaming?

Because it's always wishing it were somewhere else.

Hands-on activity

What-if chain

You need: a family member, paper and a pencil. (Works in the car too!)

  1. One person starts a real conditional: If it rains on Saturday, we will stay inside.
  2. The next person takes the result and makes a new if: If we stay inside, we will play cards. Keep going for 5 turns.
  3. Now switch to imaginary: If I were a polar bear, I would... Each person continues: If I lived on the sea ice, I would...
  4. Last round, unreal past: If I had been born 100 years ago, I would have...
  5. Write down your three favourite sentences and underline the verbs.

What to look for: will in real results, would in imaginary results, were in imaginary if-clauses, and had + past participle in unreal past if-clauses (never would have in the if-clause).

Your turn

1

Name the mood: Please close the window.

2

Name the mood: I wish I were on vacation.

3

Real or unreal? If the bus is late, I will walk.

4

Complete with the right verb: If I ___ (be) a famous chef, I would open a restaurant in Montréal.

5

Fix: If I would have studied, I would have passed.

6

Choose: The coach insists that every player (wear / wears) a mouth guard.

7

Fix the mood shift: Read the question carefully. You should underline key words. Then answer in full sentences.

More practice: warm-up

1

Which mood gives commands?

2

Which mood states facts?

3

What word goes in the if-clause of an imaginary sentence with be? If I ___ you...

4

Fix: She would of called.

5

Real result clauses usually use which helping verb: will or would?

More practice: on your own

1

Write an unreal present conditional about having one superpower.

2

Change to unreal past: If it rains, the game will be cancelled. (It didn't rain, and the game went ahead.)

3

Choose and explain: If Jake (was / were) at the party last night, I didn't see him.

4

Choose: It is important that she (is / be) at the meeting.

5

Rewrite in the imperative for a safety poster: You should not swim alone.

Challenge

1

Write one sentence of each kind about a school trip: real conditional, unreal present conditional, unreal past conditional.

2

Explain the difference in meaning: (a) If he studies, he will pass. (b) If he studied, he would pass.

3

Fix all errors: The principal suggests that every student brings a water bottle. If I was principal, I would of made it a rule.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which sentence is in the imperative mood?

2.

In formal writing, which sentence is correct for an imaginary situation?

3.

Which sentence is correct?

4.

The teacher asked that each student ___ quietly.

5.

Which is a real conditional?

6.

Which sentence fixes I would of gone?

For parents and teachers

What this lesson is about: verb mood (indicative, imperative, subjunctive), the three kinds of conditional sentences, and avoiding mood shifts. These forms are needed for formal writing and for understanding characters' wishes and imagined situations in texts.

How to help at home:

  • Play the what-if chain at dinner or in the car.
  • Notice If I was and would of in your child's writing; explain the formal choice rather than calling everyday speech "wrong". Knowing when to use each is the Grade 8 goal.
  • Look at a recipe or instruction manual together: is every step imperative?

Common difficulties:

  • Putting would in the if-clause (If I would have...).
  • Using was in imaginary situations in formal writing.
  • Adding -s after that in formal requests (recommends that he rests).