Subjunctive form KS2 – 6 of the best worksheets and resources for primary English/SPaG
Could you teach the subjunctive form better? Do you wish you had better resources available? Then I suggest you try these activities ideas and more for Years 3-6…
- by Teachwire
What is subjunctive form?
The subjunctive form (or subjunctive mood) is a verb form which shows things that could or should happen. You use it to show things like hopes, dreams, demands and suggestions.
What exactly does that mean?
Well, basically, the verb is modified in the subjunctive form into something that could, should, would or might happen (perhaps hypothetically) under certain circumstances.
Let’s take this famous example:
In this scenario, the verb ‘go’ in its past tense, ‘gone’, is modified to ‘should have gone’.
So rather than something definite and concrete like “She has gone to Specsavers” we get this scenario where she “Should’ve gone to Specsavers” to avoid this embarrassment.
Subjunctive form examples
- I suggest you take the rest of the day off.
- Experts recommend eating five pieces of fruit or veg a day.
- I wouldn’t want to be in your position.
- If I were you I’d get that fixed.
- What would you buy first if you won the lottery?
- You must come to the party.
In these examples, the verbs that are italicised are the ones modified by the subjunctive form.
1 | Subjunctive Form Year 6 Worksheets
This bright, appealing PDF grammar worksheet is an excellent way to practise and revise using the subjunctive form in Y6. Activities include SATs-style questions and opportunities for creative writing responses, with eye-catching images as prompts.
So, children will be asked to do things like identifying the sentences written in the subjunctive form, changing sentences to the subjunctive form and explaining when and why the subjunctive form is used
In the final task, children get to imagine that they are an animal for the day, and write about which they would choose, why and what they would you do while they were that animal.
2 | Interactive grammar terminology displays
This pack contains six posters illustrating key grammar terms for KS2 learners using eye-catching images and memorable model sentences, one of which is the subjunctive form.
Copies of the posters without the exemplar sentences are also included, at both A4 and giant sizes, so children can add their own suggestions as part of table work or a wall display.
The terminology covered in this pack is expanded noun phrases, modal verbs, passive voice, perfect verb form, relative clauses and subjunctive form.
3 | Subjunctive form worksheets
For a collection of printable subjunctive mood worksheets, here you’ll find some on the present subjunctive, past subjunctive and more.
They’re all free, and all come with an answer key.
Check out the collection here.
4 | Year 6 subjunctive form scheme of work
This free scheme of work for Year 6 Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling includes four small steps with guidance for teaching.
It covers ‘was’ or ‘were’?, and helps children recognise and use the subjunctive form.
5 | Subjunctive form in pop songs
This video compiles some famous songs that all seem like they’re using the subjunctive form, but not all of them are.
It’s a good way to teach children about using ‘was’ (not subjunctive) versus ‘were’ (subjunctive).
6 | Subjunctive mood vs indicative mood
And if you want to help students understand why ‘was’ and ‘were’ make a difference, this video should help clear things up.
