Subjunctive
Spoken Description
Clear explanation of the English subjunctive mood: when and how to use it, common triggers like wish, suggest, and necessity, and practice with sea of example sentences and quizzes.
Guide pratique pour maîtriser le mode subjonctif en anglais : quand et comment l'utiliser, les mots-clés comme wish, suggest, and necessary, avec exemples et exercices pour pratiquer.
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The subjunctive mood expresses desires, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical situations. This guide focuses on the present subjunctive used in English-like contexts.
Overview
The subjunctive appears in certain set phrases and in that-clauses after verbs expressing wish, demand, suggestion, or necessity. It keeps the base form of the verb.
Usage
Use the subjunctive in that-clauses after expressions of importance, suggestion, demand, or when stating a requirement. It appears mainly in formal or careful speech.
Form
The present subjunctive uses the base verb form for all persons: he, she, it does not add -s; we, you, they look the same.
They insist that she(study) this chapter thoroughly.
They insist that she study this chapter thoroughly.
In sentences like 'The committee recommends that he _ (be) on time,' choose the correct base form for the blank.
Key Expressions
Set phrases like "be that as it may," "so be it," and "if need be" show the subjunctive in fixed uses. They can add nuance or formality.
Summary
The subjunctive keeps the base verb in that-clauses after certain expressions and appears in a few set phrases. Learning the key triggers helps you sound more precise.
Examples
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