LANGUAGE AND USE
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The Subjunctive
In English the subjunctive is used far less than in languages such as: French. Spanish or Italian. Conjugation of the present subjunctive is quite easy as the verb takes the form of the infinitive for all the persons.The past subjunctive takes the past simple verb forms. The only exception is TO BE which is conjugated WERE for all persons.
In English we only get remnants of a subjunctive mood which is becoming obsolete little by little.
Use
e.g. If I were you , I would contact him right now!
This use of the subjunctive is rather common as “If I was you,... sounds uneducated.
To express an impossible or doubtful hypothesis
e.g. If his story were true, he would be dead.
His story is untrue so you use the subjunctive.
However, in more informal writing, or every day conversation the past indicative is preferred nowadays
e.g. We would call him if he was available.
I wish she was with me now.
The same principle applies to subordinate clauses with AS IF or AS THOUGH
e.g. He felt as if he was walking on ice
The sofa looked as though it had come out of somebody´s attic.
That -clauses for commands, suggestions, proposals or recommendations
In this case there is a difference between British and American English: the more relaxed constructions with SHOULD are British whereas the more old-fashioned versions are the American ones.
e.g. I suggest that he should be promoted to a higher position in the company. (BE)
The president recommended that shareholders should vote against the offer.
I suggest that he be promoted to a higher position in the company. (AE)
The president recommended that shareholders vote against the offer.
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The Subjunctive
In English the subjunctive is used far less than in languages such as: French. Spanish or Italian. Conjugation of the present subjunctive is quite easy as the verb takes the form of the infinitive for all the persons.The past subjunctive takes the past simple verb forms. The only exception is TO BE which is conjugated WERE for all persons.
In English we only get remnants of a subjunctive mood which is becoming obsolete little by little.
Use
- Stock phrases: If need be / Come what may / Far be it from me / So be it
Some of these phrases may sound old-fashioned and are only occasionally heard nowadays.
- Blessings and exclamations
(God) bless you / Heaven help us / God forbid / God be with you
- Titles of anthems
God save the Queen / Rule Britannia
- “If clauses” used for hypothesis, theories or suppositions
e.g. If I were you , I would contact him right now!
This use of the subjunctive is rather common as “If I was you,... sounds uneducated.
To express an impossible or doubtful hypothesis
e.g. If his story were true, he would be dead.
His story is untrue so you use the subjunctive.
However, in more informal writing, or every day conversation the past indicative is preferred nowadays
e.g. We would call him if he was available.
I wish she was with me now.
The same principle applies to subordinate clauses with AS IF or AS THOUGH
e.g. He felt as if he was walking on ice
The sofa looked as though it had come out of somebody´s attic.
That -clauses for commands, suggestions, proposals or recommendations
In this case there is a difference between British and American English: the more relaxed constructions with SHOULD are British whereas the more old-fashioned versions are the American ones.
e.g. I suggest that he should be promoted to a higher position in the company. (BE)
The president recommended that shareholders should vote against the offer.
I suggest that he be promoted to a higher position in the company. (AE)
The president recommended that shareholders vote against the offer.
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