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Subjunctive
Subjunctive is rather insignificant in modern
English. Most likely you might come across this
form in American English, and most probably
in formal texts.
Form
In most cases, subjunctive and indicative forms
of a verb are the same. So often you would not
notice whether a verb is used in subjunctive or
indicative mood. The only indicator for
subjunctive is that no s is added in 3rd person
singular and that the verb be remains be for
all forms in present tense and becomes were
for all forms in past tense.
Use
Subjunctive is used in some fixed phrases (formulaic subjunctive).
God save the Queen!
Long live the King!
Thy will be done.
Be that as it may.
Certain verbs (e.g. demand, insist, recommend, suggest) and adjectives (e.g. essential, important,
vital) are followed by that + subjunctive (mandative subjunctive) to indicate that something must be
done (directive aspect).
People demand that the troops be withdrawn.
It is important that everyone register.
Sentences in subjunctive sound very formal, however, so often an auxiliary is preferred. If the directive
aspect of the sentence is clear enough without an auxiliary, it is also possible to simply use the main
verb in indicative mood.
People demand that the troops are / should be withdrawn.
It is important that everyone registers.
But: Note the difference of subjunctive and indicative in the following example.
She insisted that he be present. = She wanted him to be there. (directive aspect; subjunctive)
She insisted that he was present. = She knew that he really was there. (observation; indicative)
In the example above, you can also see that mandative subjunctive is always used in infinitive, even if
we talk about a situation in the past. Note that in negative sentences, the auxiliary do is not used for
subjunctive mood.
She insisted that he not be present.
For wishes and hopes that cannot be fulfilled (volitional subjunctive), subjunctive is used in past tense.
For all verbs (except be) past tense in subjunctive mood is the same as in indicative mood.
I wish, I had a million dollar.
Past tense, subjunctive mood for be is were.
I wish, I were a millionaire.
You probably know this form from Conditional Sentences Type II.
If I were you, !
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Start Cram Up Grammar Subjunctive
" Exercises " Grammar " Past Tense " EGO4U
Changed: 05th Mar 2014 15:14
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/subjunctive
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