Review exercise: Verb moods

Indicate whether the highlighted verbs in the following sentences are in the correct mood.

1. If an elephant was to fly through this window, I’d eat your toque.

Oops!

Question:
If an elephant was to fly through this window, I’d eat your toque.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
Since the sentence deals with an unreal condition (flying elephants), the subjunctive were should be used.

Good work!

Question:
If an elephant was to fly through this window, I’d eat your toque.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
Since the sentence deals with an unreal condition (flying elephants), the subjunctive were should be used.

2. The chef insists that the wholesaler deliver fresh salad greens every morning.

Good work!

Question:
The chef insists that the wholesaler deliver fresh salad greens every morning.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive is appropriate here since it follows a verb of demanding (insists).

Oops!

Question:
The chef insists that the wholesaler deliver fresh salad greens every morning.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive is appropriate here since it follows a verb of demanding (insists).

3. It is crucial that Wendell arrives on time.

Oops!

Question:
It is crucial that Wendell arrives on time.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive form arrive is called for here because it follows an expression of necessity (it is crucial).

Good work!

Question:
It is crucial that Wendell arrives on time.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive form arrive is called for here because it follows an expression of necessity (it is crucial).

4. If this apartment was any smaller, we would suffocate.

Oops!

Question:
If this apartment was any smaller, we would suffocate.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
Since the clause expresses an unreal condition, the subjunctive mood (were) should be used.

Good work!

Question:
If this apartment was any smaller, we would suffocate.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
Since the clause expresses an unreal condition, the subjunctive mood (were) should be used.

5. The committee recommends that all three buildings are condemned.

Oops!

Question:
The committee recommends that all three buildings are condemned.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The compound verb should be in the subjunctive (be condemned) because it follows a verb of demanding.

Good work!

Question:
The committee recommends that all three buildings are condemned.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
The compound verb should be in the subjunctive (be condemned) because it follows a verb of demanding.

6. If Mae West was alive, she might enjoy Madonna’s performances.

Oops!

Question:
If Mae West was alive, she might enjoy Madonna’s performances.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
Since the sentence expresses an unreal condition (Mae West is dead), a subjunctive (were) is called for.

Good work!

Question:
If Mae West was alive, she might enjoy Madonna’s performances.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
Since the sentence expresses an unreal condition (Mae West is dead), a subjunctive (were) is called for.

7. Watson requires that his personal trainer provides receipts.

Oops!

Question:
Watson requires that his personal trainer provides receipts.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive provide should be used after the verb of demanding requires.

Good work!

Question:
Watson requires that his personal trainer provides receipts.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct
Explanation:
The subjunctive provide should be used after the verb of demanding requires.

8. If messing up an office cubicle was an Olympic sport, Lynn would win a gold medal.

Oops!

Question:
If messing up an office cubicle was an Olympic sport, Lynn would win a gold medal.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive were should be used because the clause describes an unreal condition. Messiness is not an Olympic sport.

Good work!

Question:
If messing up an office cubicle was an Olympic sport, Lynn would win a gold medal.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive were should be used here because the clause describes an unreal condition. Messiness is not an Olympic sport.

9. Bunbury wished that Oscar Wilde were still alive to write a sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest.

Good work!

Question:
Bunbury wished that Oscar Wilde were still alive to write a sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest.
Answer:
The answer correct mood is correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive were is correct as the clause expresses a wish that cannot come true since Wilde is dead.

Oops!

Question:
Bunbury wished that Oscar Wilde were still alive to write a sequel to The Importance of Being Earnest.
Answer:
The answer incorrect mood is not correct.
Explanation:
The subjunctive were is correct as the clause expresses a wish that cannot come true since Wilde is dead.

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