Subjunctive in English

Have you ever heard the term "subjunctive mood" and wondered what it means? You're not alone! Many English learners are unfamiliar with this grammatical concept, but it's an important one to understand if you want to communicate effectively. In this reference, we'll explore what the subjunctive mood is, how to form it, and when to use it in your writing and speech.

What is subjunctive mood?

The subjunctive mood is form of verbs that helps express various states of unreality such as wishes, doubts, hypothetical situations, and emotions. It is used to describe things that are not necessarily true or real, but rather things that are imagined or desired. For example, "If I were famous, I would star in movies" is a statement in the subjunctive mood because it describes a hypothetical situation that is not true in reality.

In English, the subjunctive mood is not as common as in other languages such as Spanish or French, but it is still an important concept to understand. It is often used in formal writing and speech, as well as in certain expressions and phrases.

How to form subjunctive

The subjunctive mood is formed differently depending on the verb tense and the subject of your sentence. For regular verbs in the present tense, the subjunctive form is the same as the base form of the verb (without the -s or -es ending). For example, "I suggest that he leave now" is in the subjunctive mood because "leave" is the base form of the verb.

In the past tense, the subjunctive form is often the same as the past tense form but without the -ed ending. You could say, "If I were you, I would have left earlier" in the subjunctive mood because "were" is the past subjunctive form of "be."

Examples of the subjunctive mood in English

To help you understand the subjunctive mood better, let's look at some examples:

• "I insist that he arrive on time." (present subjunctive)
• "If I had known, I would have left earlier." (past subjunctive)
• "It's important that she be here for the meeting." (present subjunctive)
• "I suggest that they not spend too much money." (present subjunctive)
• "I wish I were taller." (past subjunctive)

Notice how each of these examples expresses something that is not necessarily true or real, but rather something that is imagined, wished for, or doubted.

Uses of the subjunctive

As mentioned earlier, the subjunctive mood helps us express various states of unreality such as wishes, doubts, hypothetical situations, and emotions. Let's explore each of them:

Wishes

The subjunctive mood is often used to express wishes or desires. For example, "I wish I had more time to travel" or "If only I could speak Korean fluently". In these cases, the subjunctive form is used to express something that is not currently true or real, but rather something that the speaker wishes were true.

Hypothetical situations

The subjunctive mood is also used to describe hypothetical situations or conditions. For example, "If I were a millionaire, I would buy a yacht" or "If he were here, he would help us". In these cases, the subjunctive form is used to describe something that is not true in reality but rather a hypothetical situation or condition.

Doubts

The subjunctive mood can help express doubts or uncertainties. For example, "I doubt that he be able to finish the project on time" or "It's unlikely that she come to the party". In these cases, the subjunctive form is used to express something that the speaker doubts or is uncertain about.

Emotions

The subjunctive mood can help express emotions such as surprise, joy, or sadness. For example, "I'm surprised that he be so rude" or "It's great that she join our team". In these cases, the subjunctive form is used to express the speaker's emotions about a particular situation.

When to use the subjunctive - rules and guidelines

Now that you understand the uses of the subjunctive mood, let's explore when to use it in your writing and speech. Here are some rules and guidelines to follow:

• Use the subjunctive after certain verbs such as suggest, insist, demand, and recommend. For example, "I recommend that he be more careful next time".
• Use the subjunctive after certain expressions such as if, unless, and as if/as though. So, "If I were you, I would take a break".
• Use the subjunctive after certain adjectives such as important, necessary, and urgent. For example, "It's important that he arrive on time".
• Use the subjunctive after certain conjunctions such as before, so that, and in case. For example, "He left early in case there be traffic".
• Use the past subjunctive (were) instead of the past tense (was) in certain situations such as in hypothetical statements. For example, "If I were a fish, I would swim away".

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Common phrases and verbs that trigger the use of the subjunctive mood

To help you identify when to use the subjunctive mood, here are some common phrases and verbs that often trigger its use:

• It's important that...
• It's necessary that...
• I suggest that...
• I demand that...
• If only...
• If I were...
• Unless...
• So that...
• In case...

By recognizing these phrases and verbs, you can more easily identify when to use the subjunctive mood in your writing and speech.

Common mistakes

There are a few common mistakes that English speakers make when it comes to using the subjunctive mood. Here are some of the most common:

• Using the indicative mood (the normal verb form) instead of the subjunctive mood after certain verbs and expressions. For example, "I suggest that he leaves now" (incorrect) instead of "I suggest that he leave now" (correct).
• Using the past tense (was) instead of the past subjunctive (were) in hypothetical statements. For example, "If I was rich, I would travel the world" (incorrect) instead of "If I were rich, I would travel the world" (correct).
• Overusing the subjunctive mood. Remember that the subjunctive mood is used to describe things that are not true or real, so using it too often can make your writing or speech sound unnatural.

Summary

To form the subjunctive mood, you need to use different verb forms depending on the tense and subject of the sentence. The subjunctive mood often comes up in formal writing and speech, as well as in certain expressions and phrases. Remember to follow the rules and guidelines for using it and soon enough, you'll be a pro at expressing yourself in English!