Scribd
Upload
7 views2 pages

Understanding the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive is a verb form that expresses hypothetical or wished-for situations. It is distinguished from other verb forms by using "be" and "were" instead of indicative forms like "am", "is", and "are", and by lacking the -s ending in the third person singular present tense. The subjunctive is most commonly found in that-clauses after verbs like "insist", "recommend", and related nouns/adjectives, as well as in clauses introduced by "if", "as if", or "as though" to express hypothetical comparisons. It is also used in set phrases and when the subject follows the verb. While optional in many cases, the subjunctive conveys

Uploaded by

joe1974
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views2 pages

Understanding the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive is a verb form that expresses hypothetical or wished-for situations. It is distinguished from other verb forms by using "be" and "were" instead of indicative forms like "am", "is", and "are", and by lacking the -s ending in the third person singular present tense. The subjunctive is most commonly found in that-clauses after verbs like "insist", "recommend", and related nouns/adjectives, as well as in clauses introduced by "if", "as if", or "as though" to express hypothetical comparisons. It is also used in set phrases and when the subject follows the verb. While optional in many cases, the subjunctive conveys

Uploaded by

joe1974
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The subjunctive

The subjunctive is a specific verb form. It usually expresses something that you wish for,
or a hypothetical rather than actual situation:

If only I were ten years younger.


I only wish that what you say were true.

It is also used to indicate that something is being suggested or demanded:

The report recommends that he face the tribunal.


It is important that they be aware of the provisions of the Act.

In modern English it is distinguished from other verb forms only a) by the use
of be and were instead of the indicative forms (am/is/are/was) as in the example above;
and b) by lacking the final letter -s of the third person singular (he/she/it) in the present
tense (in the example above he face, not he faces).

When is it used?
You are most likely to encounter the subjunctive in formal writing or speech. You’ll also
encounter it in the following scenarios:

1. In that-clauses
Nowadays it is probably most frequent in that-clauses with verbs such
as demand, insist, pray, recommend, suggest, and semantically related nouns/adjectives,
e.g. essential, important, insistence, proposal, etc.

She declined a seat beside Charles on the sofa. She insisted that Jane sit there.
It was suggested that he wait until the next morning.
It is important that they be aware of the provisions of the Act.

Note: In most such cases it can be replaced by should + infinitive or by the indicative form
of the verb:

She declined a seat beside Charles on the sofa. She insisted that Jane sat there.
It was suggested that he should wait until the next morning.
It is important that they are aware of the provisions of the Act.

The use of the subjunctive instead of those alternatives is very frequent in American
English. In constructions of this type, any negation not (or never etc.) is normally placed
before the subjunctive verb:

One essential quality for a holiday novel is that it not be too light.
I recommend that we not approve this letter.
This construction is routine in American English, but less common elsewhere.

2. As if…, as though…, if…


After if (or as if, as though, unless) in hypotheses or comparisons:

If that were so, things would be very different.


It was as if Sally were disturbed in some way.
His voice strained as though he were walking on a wire above a pit of sharks.

The indicative may also be used, i.e. was instead of were, in all the examples above, but
the subjunctive arguably conveys the hypothetical sense more forcefully.

3. If I were you…
Usage seems to be changing in phrases such as if I were you, if it were up to me, etc.
People often say if I was you and if it was up to me, but the subjunctive is preferable in
writing, especially any formal or academic prose. The phrase as it were, however, cannot
be modified:
Having to ask permission, as it were, to see her friends
Suddenly, as it were overnight, the weather became hot and sultry.

4. Set phrases
For categories 1–3 using the subjunctive is optional. However, there are many set phrases
which contain a hidden subjunctive as part of the phrase:

Come what may


Far be it from me to…
God save the Queen!
Heaven forbid!
Perish the thought!
So be it
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done...
Suffice it to say...

5. At the head of a clause


This kind of construction, with the subject after the verb, is more typically found in writing
than in speech, where it might be considered rather formal.

Were I to get drunk, it would help me drown my anguish.


Unlike rival international fairs, be they in London, New York or Maastricht, the Biennale
has enormous popular appeal.

You might also like