Subjunctive

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, hypothetical situations, demands, or suggestions. It's a less common but important aspect of English grammar, used to convey conditions contrary to fact, and politeness.

Understanding Subjunctive

Definition

The subjunctive mood is a way of speaking that is used to express things that are hypothetical, wishful, or not necessarily true. It is most commonly found in that-clause after certain verbs and adjectives indicating that something is important, essential, or desirable.

Common Uses of Subjunctive

1. Wishes and Hypotheticals: Expresses scenarios that are not real but are envisioned.

   • Example: "If I were you, I would take the job."

2. Demands and Suggestions: Often follows verbs like "suggest," "demand," "recommend."

   • Example: "It is crucial that he be told the truth."

3. Fixed Phrases: Appears in certain traditional expressions.

   • Example: "God save the Queen."

Forming the Subjunctive

• Present Subjunctive: Use the base form of the verb for all persons, including the third person singular without 's'.

  • Example: "It is necessary that she arrive early."

• Past Subjunctive: Often used to discuss hypotheticals or conditions contrary to fact, generally only 'were' is used for all subjects.

  • Example: "If I were rich, I’d travel the world."

Tips for Using Subjunctive

1. Recognize Triggers: Learn verbs and adjectives that typically trigger the subjunctive, such as "recommend," "ask," "insist," "important," "necessary."

2. Usage in Formal Contexts: The subjunctive tends to appear more in written than spoken English, especially in formal writing.

3. Be Consistent: When using the subjunctive in a sentence, maintain consistency throughout the clause or sentence structure.

Exercises

• Convert the following indicative sentences into subjunctive mood:

  1. "He goes to the doctor."
  2. "They need to participate."

• Identify and correct the errors in the use of subjunctive in a paragraph.

Conclusion

The subjunctive mood is essential for expressing doubts, wishes, and suggestions with a tone of formality and seriousness. Its correct use can significantly change the nuance of your sentences, making your English more sophisticated.