{"id":399,"date":"2012-12-14T13:18:01","date_gmt":"2012-12-14T13:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kamaxi.com\/WP\/?p=399"},"modified":"2013-03-12T08:41:24","modified_gmt":"2013-03-12T08:41:24","slug":"subjunctive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kamaxi.com\/blogs\/subjunctive\/","title":{"rendered":"Subjunctive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The subjunctive is a verb form in English that is relatively rare, but is structurally very simple. It is a special kind of present tense; for all verbs except the past tense of \u2018be\u2019 (\u2018were\u2019), the subjunctive is the same as the infinitive without \u2018to\u2019. Therefore, the subjunctive is simply the basic verb form (for e.g., do, work, demand, hire<\/em>), with the difference that no \u2018s\u2019 is added to the verb when it is used with the third person singular. For e.g. in the sentence I suggested that he take the matter to the proper authorities<\/em>, \u2018take\u2019 is the subjunctive.<\/p>\n

The subjunctive is used more often in American and written than in British and spoken English. It is used generally when talking about something that may or may not happen; it could be something that the speaker wants, hopes for, expects, or imagines. The following are more examples of subjunctives:<\/p>\n

If I <\/em>were<\/em><\/strong> king, there would be no more famines.<\/em><\/p>\n

The chairman requests that all members of the board <\/em>be<\/em><\/strong> present at the meeting.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I demand that he <\/em>provide<\/em><\/strong> us with a full explanation.<\/em><\/p>\n

As you can see, the structure that the subjunctive takes is generally as follows: [subject] (I) [verb] (demand) \u2018that\u2019 [object] (he) [subjunctive] (provide)\u2026 <\/em>The verbs that are commonly used before subjunctives are advise, ask, beg, decide, decree, desire, dictate, insist, intend, move, order, petition, propose, recommend, request, require, resolve, suggest, urge,\u00a0and\u00a0vote<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Another pattern exists as well, in which \u2018that\u2019 is preceded by an expression rather than the verb. For e.g. in the sentence It is essential that the goods be delivered on time<\/em>, \u2018it is essential\u2019 is the expression. The expressions that are commonly used with subjunctives are it is desirable\/imperative\/essential\/necessary<\/em>\/important<\/em>, etc.<\/p>\n

Now, in the example If I were king\u2026<\/em>, there seems to be a slight problem, which is that \u2018king\u2019 is a singular noun, so the verb preceding it should, it appears, be \u2018was\u2019, not \u2018were\u2019. However, this construction does not use \u2018was\u2019. \u2018Were\u2019 is the \u2018past subjunctive\u2019 of \u2018be\u2019, and is formally always with \u2018if\u2019, and certain other words\/phrases, such as \u2018I wish\u2019 and \u2018as if\u2019; it is simply a quirk of the language.<\/p>\n

The following are more examples of the same:<\/p>\n

If I were you, I would take a stand on the issue.<\/em><\/p>\n

If he were not so intelligent, I would have fired him for his insolence.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0I wish she weren\u2019t so dull.<\/em><\/p>\n

You act as if you were king.<\/em><\/p>\n

Learn more\u00a0on\u00a0subjunctive and their usage.\u00a0 Join Online English Guru<\/a><\/strong> today. Our web English teachers<\/a><\/strong> are very friendly and approachable they are more than willing to help you to converse in English<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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