IELTS Speaking Module
Show Your Range: Subjunctive Mood

If you want to get a band 7 or higher for speaking you are definitely going to have to use the subjunctive mood.

You all know what it is, but are you confident enough to use it frequently in the exam?

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:

  • wants to happen
  • hopes will happen
  • imagines happening

Use it in conditional sentences, in the clause following if, to express things that are doubtful, not true, or imagined.

First learn a few simple ones, that can be used anywhere in your speaking:

1. Imagine you are somebody else

About your job:

  • If I were the boss, I would give the staff more perks
  • If I were still a student, I would have more free time

About your student life:

  • If I were a worker, I would have more money to spend on this hobby
  • If I were the teacher, I wouldn't set so much homework.

General:

  • If I were a parent, I would definitely punish my kids if they misbehaved.
  • If I were a lawmaker, I would pass laws to stop people destroying the environment.

2. Imagine a different situation from the one you are talking about now:

  • If I lived in Kao Xiung I would be able to see my parents more often.
  • If I didn't work there, I wouldn't be able to meet so many great people.
  • If she were honest, she would give it back to me.

So when you are talking in the exam, always try to imagine the opposite, or a different situation and then use the "if . . . would . . ." sentence to describe it. This is also a good tip for any time you get stuck and don't know what else to say. Subjunctive Mood 2