The Subjunctive in English for the TOEIC®: The Simple Method to Avoid Errors in Part 5
Flow Exam team
The subjunctive in English expresses a desired, suggested, or hypothetical action. In the TOEIC®, it mainly appears in Parts 5 and 6, following certain verbs (suggest, recommend, demand) and expressions (it is essential that, it is important that).
For example, in a professional email: "The manager suggests that the team submit the report by Friday" (and not "submits").
The classic trap? Adding an -s for the third person when the subjunctive always keeps the base form of the verb. It's simple in theory, but it leads to losing silly points under pressure.
The Two Forms of Subjunctive You Need to Know
English subjunctive is much simpler than French. There are two main forms, and the first one appears most frequently in TOEIC® questions.
The Present Subjunctive (Mandative Subjunctive)
This is the form you encounter most often in TOEIC® questions. We always use the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to"), regardless of the subject.
- The board recommends that she be present at the meeting.
- It is crucial that every employee complete the training.
- The policy requires that he submit his expenses monthly.
The rule is simple: after verbs of suggestion, recommendation, demand, or obligation, you use the base form of the verb. No -s, no -ed, no auxiliary.
The Past Subjunctive (Were-Subjunctive)
This form is used in unreal hypothetical sentences, especially with "if" and "wish." It uses were for all subjects (even I, he, she, it).
- If I were the manager, I would change the schedule.
- She wishes she were able to attend the conference.
In the TOEIC®, it appears less often than the present subjunctive, but it returns in formal and professional contexts.
When to Use the Subjunctive: Triggers to Spot
Certain words and expressions automatically trigger the subjunctive. Recognizing them saves you time in Part 5.
Verbs That Require the Subjunctive
| Verb | Translation | TOEIC® Example |
|---|---|---|
| suggest | suggérer | The consultant suggests that the company reduce costs. |
| recommend | recommander | We recommend that all staff arrive early. |
| demand | exiger | The client demands that we deliver by Monday. |
| request | demander | Management requests that everyone attend the briefing. |
| require | exiger/requérir | The law requires that businesses provide safety equipment. |
| insist | insister | He insists that the invoice be corrected immediately. |
| propose | proposer | They propose that the deadline be extended. |
Impersonal Expressions That Trigger the Subjunctive
These phrases usually start with "It is..." and express necessity, importance, or urgency.
- It is essential that the report be submitted today.
- It is important that she understand the policy.
- It is necessary that all documents be signed.
On Flow Exam, you can specifically practice the Conditional/Subjunctive topic in Part 5, with exercises that exactly replicate the traps of the official test. If you are still confusing the subjunctive and indicative, this will quickly become second nature.
TOEIC® Traps for the Subjunctive
Part 5 loves to test your vigilance regarding the subjunctive, especially when the subject is third-person singular.
Trap #1: Adding the third-person -s
This is the most frequent error. The subjunctive NEVER takes an -s, even with he/she/it.
- Incorrect: "The director suggests that he submits the proposal."
- Correct: "The director suggests that he submit the proposal."
This trap works particularly well when the introductory verb (suggest, recommend) is far from the subjunctive verb (submit). The more words between the two, the greater the risk of error.
Trap #2: Confusing Subjunctive and Infinitive
Some verbs accept two constructions. The TOEIC® tests your ability to distinguish between them.
- We recommend that you submit the form. (subjunctive)
- We recommend you to submit the form." (infinitive)
Both are correct, but the structure changes. With "that," you use the subjunctive. Without "that" and with a direct object, you use the infinitive.
Trap #3: Using "should" instead of the base form
In British English, you sometimes find "should + verb." In the TOEIC®, which favors formal American English, you must prioritize the direct base form.
- It is essential that he should attend. (Incorrect for TOEIC®)
- It is essential that he attend. (Correct for TOEIC®)
Method to Spot the Subjunctive in 3 Seconds
Here is a quick checklist for Part 5 questions where you are hesitating between several verb forms.
| Clue to Look For | Action to Take | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suggestion/demand verb in the sentence | Look for "that" + use base form | suggest that you go |
| Expression "It is essential/important/necessary" | Look for "that" + use base form | It is vital that he be informed |
| 3rd person subject + formal context | Check if a triggering verb comes before it | The CEO insists that she participate |
| Presence of "if" + unreal context | Use "were" for all subjects | If the budget were larger |
The candidates who progress fastest on this point are those who have stopped thinking about the French translation. They have automated the detection of trigger verbs. In Part 5, you have about 30 seconds per question. Spotting "suggest," "recommend," or "it is essential" must become automatic.
Mistakes That Cost You Points (and How to Avoid Them)
Here is a table of the most common mistakes with the correction and typical TOEIC® context.
| Error | Correction | Typical TOEIC® Context |
|---|---|---|
| It is important that he understands the risks. | It is important that he understand the risks. | Compliance email or internal policy |
| The manager suggests that the team works overtime. | The manager suggests that the team work overtime. | Team meeting or scheduling |
| We demand that she is present at the audit. | We demand that she be present at the audit. | Legal or audit context |
| If the company was larger, we could expand. | If the company were larger, we could expand. | Unreal hypothesis about the company |
| The policy requires that employees are punctual. | The policy requires that employees be punctual. | Internal rules and regulations |
Even among candidates who already have access to a preparation platform through their school, confusion between indicative and subjunctive often recurs in Part 5. The reason is simple: these tools emphasize the rule, but rarely emphasize the reflex to adopt under pressure.
With Flow Exam, you can practice directly on the Conditional/Subjunctive topic in exactly the same format as the TOEIC®. So if you have difficulties with this topic, you will never make the same mistakes again.
Special Cases to Know for Test Day
The Subjunctive with "whether"
Certain expressions use "whether" instead of "if" in a formal register.
- It is essential that we determine whether the contract be valid.
This construction is rare but may appear in Parts 6 and 7, in legal or contractual documents.
The Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses
With expressions like "lest" or "for fear that" (very formal), the subjunctive may appear.
- The company updated the policy lest employees be confused.
These forms are rare in the TOEIC®, but they can appear in formal texts in Part 7.
Subjunctive or Indicative after "hope"?
Unlike "wish," the verb "hope" does NOT trigger the subjunctive. This is a classic trap.
- I hope that he be on time. (Incorrect)
- I hope that he is on time. (Correct)
With "hope," you use the normal indicative because the action is considered possible, not hypothetical.
Ready to Practice?
The subjunctive is one of those grammar points that seems simple in theory but causes silly point losses in the actual testing situation. The difference between "he submit" and "he submits" isn't always obvious at first glance, especially when you are under pressure.
On Flow Exam, you can practice directly on the Conditional/Subjunctive topic in Part 5, with thousands of questions in the same format as those on the official TOEIC®. So if you have difficulties with this topic, you will never make the same mistakes again.
Some superpowers of the Flow Exam platform:
- 150 truly exclusive tips drawn from the experience of over 500 candidates who scored +950 on the TOEIC®: clear, concrete, field-tested, and validated.
- Intelligent practice system that adapts exercises to your profile and trains you directly on the topics where you make the most mistakes. Result → 3.46x faster progress compared to traditional platforms.
- Ultra-personalized learning path: targeted training only on the questions and topics causing you to lose points → continuously adjusted to adapt to your evolving skill level.
- Personalized statistics on +200 precise topics (adverbs, pronouns, linking words, etc.)
- Real-world conditions mode exactly like Test Day (reading instructions in Listening, timer, etc.) → You can activate it whenever you want.
- Flashcards automatically generated from your own mistakes, and optimized using the spaced repetition method for long-term memorization and zero forgotten items.
- +300 points guaranteed on the TOEIC®. Otherwise, we will give you a full refund.