The subjunctive mood expresses ideas that are not statements of fact: wishes, hypotheses, demands, or things contrary to reality. It often appears in dependent clauses introduced by specific triggers.
- Used for non-real, desired, or hypothetical situations.
- Common after verbs expressing wishes, suggestions, or necessity.
- Different from indicative, which states facts or beliefs.
The subjunctive mood expresses wishes, hypotheticals, demands, and situations contrary to fact.
Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used to express demands, suggestions, or necessity for future actions, often after expressions like 'it is essential that...'
The present subjunctive is used in clauses that follow expressions of necessity, demand, suggestion, or emotion. The verb form often changes to its base form, regardless of the subject.
- Trigger phrases: "It is essential that...", "I suggest that...", "They demand that..."
- Verb takes base form: be, go, have (for all subjects)
Examples
| Indicative | Present Subjunctive |
|---|---|
| I recommend that he studies more. | I recommend that he study more. |
| It is important that she is on time. | It is important that she be on time. |
Correct uses are 'I suggest that he arrive early' and 'It is vital that she be informed.'
In the present subjunctive, 'to be' is 'be' for all subjects.
Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used for hypothetical or unreal situations, often in 'if' clauses that are contrary to fact.
The past subjunctive is used for unreal or hypothetical situations, often in "if" clauses. For most verbs, it uses the same form as the simple past; for be, the form is were for all subjects.
- Expresses wishes, hypotheticals, or conditions contrary to fact.
- Common in "if" clauses and after "wish."
Examples
| Type | Example Indicative | Example Subjunctive |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothetical "If" | If I was rich... (real) | If I were rich... (unreal) |
| Wish | I am happy. | I wish I were... |
| Condition (unreal) | If he could... (real) | If he could... (hypothetical) |
Use past subjunctive for wishes ('If I were you...'), and unreal 'if' statements.
For unreal conditions, use 'were' regardless of subject.
Conclusion
The subjunctive mood allows speakers to express shades of meaning related to non-reality, making it essential for nuanced communication.
- Subjunctive expresses non-factual ideas (wishes, hypotheticals, demands).
- Present subjunctive uses the base verb form after certain triggers.
- Past subjunctive handles unreal or hypothetical situations, with "were" for be.
Subjunctive is used for wishes, hypotheticals, and demands.
In the present subjunctive, the verb uses its base form for all subjects.
The past subjunctive is used for hypotheticals/unreal situations, in 'if' clauses contrary to fact, and after wishes.
The past subjunctive form of 'to be' is 'were' for all subjects.