Use of Subjunctive Mood in GMAT Sentence Correction

Use of Subjunctive Mood in GMAT Sentence Correction


Subjunctive mood sentences are tested in GMAT Sentence Correction module fairly frequently. Although there are many types of subjunctive mood usage, the most relevant from the perspective of GMAT, is the one using a dependent clause, introduced by the word - that –. Although the subjunctive mood seems to foul normal verb tense grammar, still the usage is considered grammatical.
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The subjunctive mood is used when the verb indicates a desire, intention, command, recommendation request, resolution, or advice. It is also used along with such words as advisable, better, desirable, and directive, essential, fitting, imperative, important, necessary, urge urgent and vital. Very important thing here is that the word - that -will always introduce the dependent clause in such subjunctive mood sentences and the verb of the relative sentences will always be the base or root form of the verb

Q: Rules governing participation in new extreme sports fantasy camp require that applicants should be physically fit enough to endure the demanding activities in which they will be engaging.

A. that applicants should be physically fit enough to endure the demanding
B. that applicants be physically fit enough to endure the demanding
C. applicants should have enough physical fitness to allow enduring the demands of
D. applicants are physically fit enough as to endure the demands of
E. physical fitness in applicants, enough for endurance of demanding

B is the answer.

Some more example of subjunctive mood

1. Wrong: The students are demanding that a swimming pool should be constructed inside the college hostel

Correct; The students are demanding that a swimming pool be constructed inside the college hostel
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2. Wrong. The Parliament recommends that the speaker is dismissed.
Correct The Parliament recommends that the speaker be dismissed

3. Wrong; The Principal ordered that the student to pay a fine of one hundred rupees for his late coming.


Correct: The Principal ordered that the student pay a fine of one hundred rupees for his late coming.


4. Wrong: The committee proposes that the opposition member apologizes to the Prime Minister for using unparliamentarily words.

Correct: The committee proposes that the opposition member apologize to the Prime Minister for using unparliamentarily words

5. Wrong: My son always insists that people should tap the door before entering his room.

Correct: My son always insists that people tap the door before entering his room.



Some GMAT examples

1: Judicial rules in many states require that the identities of all prosecution witnesses are made known to defendants so they can attempt to rebut the testimony, but the Constitution explicitly requires only that the defendant have the opportunity to confront an accuser in court.

(A) that the identities of all prosecution witnesses are made known to defendants so they can attempt to rebut
(B) that the identities of all prosecution witnesses be made known to defendants so that they can attempt to rebut
(C) that the defendants should know the identities of all prosecution witnesses so they can attempt a rebuttal of
(D) the identities of all prosecution witnesses should be made known to defendants so they can attempt rebutting
(E) making known to defendants the identities of all prosecution witnesses so that they can attempt to rebut
B is the right answer

2. In one of the most stunning reversals in the history of marketing, the Coca-Cola Company in July 1985 yielded to thousands of irate consumers demanding that it should bring back the original Coke formula.

(A) demanding that it should
(B) demanding it to
(C) and their demand to
(D) who demanded that it
(E) who demanded it to

D is the right answer

3. Most state constitutions now mandate that the state budget be balanced each year.

(A) mandate that the state budget be balanced
(B) mandate the state budget to be balanced
(C) mandate that the state budget will be balanced
(D) have a mandate for a balanced state budget
(E) have a mandate to balance the state budget

No error