he subjunctive is a special, relatively rare verb form in English.
We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:
The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American English than in English, where should + infinitive is often used:
The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the Subjunctive. After you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use this verb form, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.
FORM
Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the verb "to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.
USE
The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see below).
The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb.
The subjunctive is a special kind of present tense, using an infinitive that has no –s in the third person singular. It is often used when talking about something that somebody must do.
I insist (that) your friend leave this house at once.
The subjunctive is a formal construction. It is more commonly used in American English than in British English, and more often in the written form than in the spoken form. It was used much more frequently in old English, but many of these forms have now disappeared in modern English.
Other verbs that are commonly used with the subjunctive are: advise, ask, beg, decide, decree, desire, dictate, insist, intend, move, order, petition, propose, recommend, request, require, resolve, suggest, urge, and vote.
grammar : of or relating to the verb form that is used to express suggestions, wishes, uncertainty, possibility, etc.
Full Definition of SUBJUNCTIVE
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents a denoted act or state not as fact but as contingent or possible or viewed emotionally (as with doubt or desire)
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subjunctive noun
the subjunctive : the form that a verb or sentence has when it is expressing a suggestion, wish, uncertainty, possibility, etc.
: a subjunctive verb or sentence
The Subjunctive Mood
A verb is in the subjunctive mood when it expresses a condition which is doubtful or not factual. It is most often found in a clause beginning with the word if. It is also found in clauses following a verb that expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal.
These are verbs typically followed by clauses that take the subjunctive:
Subjunctive is rather insignificant in modern English. Most likely you might come across this form in American English, and most probably in formal texts.
Form
In most cases, subjunctive and indicative forms of a verb are the same. So often you would not notice whether a verb is used in subjunctive or indicative mood. The only indicator for subjunctive is that no ‘s’ is added in 3rd person singular and that the verb ‘be’ remains ‘be’ for all forms in present tense and becomes ‘were’ for all forms in past tense.
Use
Subjunctive is used in some fixed phrases (formulaic subjunctive).
God save the Queen!
Long live the King!
Thy will be done.
Be that as it may.