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English lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 45 minutes

The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be

Grammar

CCSS L.8.1.CCCSS L.8.1.DEngland: KS3 English (grammar)England: Y6 GPS (subjunctive)England: SAT/ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The subjunctive mood; Verb moods and shifts in voice or mood

Leads to: Mixed conditionals: past cause, present result (and vice versa); Advanced subjunctive: were it not for, lest, that she not be

Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The subjunctive mood; Verb moods and shifts in voice or mood). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the subjunctive form. The teacher asked that every pupil ___ on time. (are / was / is / be) → bePrompt: Is the sentence about something imagined (if…, I wish…) or a demand (insist that…, it is vital that…)?
  2. What is the mood of the verb in this sentence? She would help if she had time. (interrogative / imperative / conditional / indicative) → conditionalPrompt: Is it a statement, a command, a question, a hypothetical, or a wish/demand?
  3. First, preheat the oven. Then the flour should be sifted. Which revision avoids the needless shift? (First, preheat the oven. Then the flour is sifted by you. / First, preheat the oven. Then you should be sifting the flour. / First, preheat the oven. Then sift the flour. / First, the oven is preheated. Then sift the flour.) → First, preheat the oven. Then sift the flour.Prompt: Look at the first verb. Is it active or passive? A command or a statement?

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the correct verb form for formal English. We suggest that each student ___ a short summary.
  • Step 1: The subjunctive uses 'were' for unreal situations and the base form after verbs of demanding or suggesting.
  • Step 2: After 'suggest that', use the base form.
  • Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "We suggest that each student write a short summary."
  • Step 4: So the answer is: write
  • Answer: write
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Choose the correct verb form for formal English. If only I ___ more patient! (am / be / was / were) → werePrompt: Is it imaginary (if, wish, as if)? Or a demand/suggestion (insist, suggest, essential that…)?
  2. Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • I wish my phone were waterproof. • I wish my phone is waterproof. • I wish my phone be waterproof. • I wish my phone will be waterproof. (I wish my phone were waterproof. / I wish my phone is waterproof. / I wish my phone be waterproof. / I wish my phone will be waterproof.) → I wish my phone were waterproof.Prompt: Look for if, wish, as if, or a verb like ask/insist/suggest + that.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Choose the correct verb form for formal English. If I ___ you, I would apologise. (am / were / was / be) → werePrompt: Is it imaginary (if, wish, as if)? Or a demand/suggestion (insist, suggest, essential that…)?
  2. Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • I wish my phone is waterproof. • I wish my phone will be waterproof. • I wish my phone were waterproof. • I wish my phone be waterproof. (I wish my phone is waterproof. / I wish my phone will be waterproof. / I wish my phone were waterproof. / I wish my phone be waterproof.) → I wish my phone were waterproof.Prompt: Look for if, wish, as if, or a verb like ask/insist/suggest + that.

Watch out for

  • Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
  • Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The subjunctive mood.
  • Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Mixed conditionals: past cause, present result (and vice versa); Advanced subjunctive: were it not for, lest, that she not be.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be

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Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • She looked as if she be about to cry. • She looked as if she were about to cry. • She looked as if she are about to cry. • She looked as if she is about to cried.

    • A. She looked as if she be about to cry.
    • B. She looked as if she were about to cry.
    • C. She looked as if she are about to cry.
    • D. She looked as if she is about to cried.

  2. Question 2

    Choose the correct verb form for formal English. The rules require that a parent ___ the form.

    • A. signing
    • B. signed
    • C. signs
    • D. sign

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • I wish my phone is waterproof. • I wish my phone be waterproof. • I wish my phone were waterproof. • I wish my phone will be waterproof.

    • A. I wish my phone is waterproof.
    • B. I wish my phone be waterproof.
    • C. I wish my phone were waterproof.
    • D. I wish my phone will be waterproof.

  4. Question 4

    Choose the correct verb form for formal English. If I ___ you, I would apologise.

    • A. were
    • B. am
    • C. was
    • D. be

  5. Question 5

    Choose the correct verb form for formal English. The coach insists that every player ___ on time.

    • A. be
    • B. was
    • C. is
    • D. being

  6. Question 6

    Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • I wish my phone will be waterproof. • I wish my phone be waterproof. • I wish my phone is waterproof. • I wish my phone were waterproof.

    • A. I wish my phone will be waterproof.
    • B. I wish my phone be waterproof.
    • C. I wish my phone is waterproof.
    • D. I wish my phone were waterproof.

  7. Question 7

    Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly? • She looked as if she are about to cry. • She looked as if she is about to cried. • She looked as if she were about to cry. • She looked as if she be about to cry.

    • A. She looked as if she are about to cry.
    • B. She looked as if she is about to cried.
    • C. She looked as if she were about to cry.
    • D. She looked as if she be about to cry.

  8. Question 8

    Choose the correct verb form for formal English. The doctor recommended that he ___ more water.

    • A. drank
    • B. drinking
    • C. drinks
    • D. drink

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Answer key: The subjunctive: if I were, I wish it were, I suggest she be

  1. 1. B. She looked as if she were about to cry.

  2. 2. D. sign

  3. 3. C. I wish my phone were waterproof.

  4. 4. A. were

  5. 5. A. be

  6. 6. D. I wish my phone were waterproof.

  7. 7. C. She looked as if she were about to cry.

  8. 8. D. drink