Causative Verbs & Subjunctive Mood

Causative

Verbs

They are used when someone causes something to happen. The subject caused the action to happen.

make

let

have

get

have

get

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is the verb form used to explore a hypothetical situation (e.g., "If I were you") or to express a wish, a demand, or a suggestion (e.g., "I demand he be present").

Subjunctive Mood

Verb Changes with the Subjunctive Mood

Verbs That Attract the Subjunctive Mood

These can be remembered with the mnemonic COWS-RAID.

Adjectives That Attract the Subjunctive Mood

These can be remembered with the mnemonic IN-ICE.

Set Phrases Featuring the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood also features in some well-known terms.God bless you. (I wish that "God bless you".) God save the Queen. (I wish that "God save the Queen".) May The Force be with you. (Star Wars)

Negative Subjunctive Mood

that + NOT + verb

The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours. I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.

Gina has a job interview in English next week. How should she prepare for it?

Practice

Erick has problems getting to sleep at night. What should he do?

Advise on the following situations.

My sister wants to leave her boyfriend but she doesn't know how to tell him. What should she do?

My friends are coming over for dinner and I can't cook.What should I do?

Anne never has any money and is always broke. As soon as she gets her pocket money, she spends it the first time she goes out.

Practice

I moved here two months ago and still don’t know anyone apart from the people I work with. I don’t like discos, so I find it very hard to meet people.

Advise on the following situations.

Julian is very overworked . He's got a full time job and two children, but his wife never helps with any household jobs and never looks after the children. It’s so unfair!

Some people told Linda her brother has some new friends who are often in trouble with the police. Do you think she should tell her parents?

Practice I wish...