English Language Learners Stack Exchange
English Language Learners Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [subjunctives]

A traditional term for the use of finite verbs uninflected for number or person with commands, wishes, suggestions, and hypothetical or counterfactual propositions. The 'present subjunctive' is the plain/infinitive form of the verb; the 'past subjunctive' is the general past form of the verb.

The subjunctive is the mood used to command, a wish, a suggestion, or a condition that is contrary to fact.

The board recommended that the motion be passed immediately.

If I were rich, I would live on Long Island.

Contrary to Old English, in modern English the subjunctive is distinguable from the indicative just for be, and the third singular person.
In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong.

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Why is it "If I were you" and not "If I was you"?

From my research online the correct way is to say "If I were you" and not "If I was you" because this is the "subjunctive mood". However they don't say the underlying reason for it. They just say use "If I were you" when it is subjunctive. What if I…
Dzyann
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"I would love to if I can" vs. "I would love to if I could"

I would love to if I can I would love to if I could Which one is right?
Marco
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We have to go. It is time we…

The question from the test: We have to go. It is time we… – A. Leave, B. Are leaving, C. Left, D. Must leave. The correct answer is C. Can you please explain why? What grammatical phenomenon is present in this sentence? (I thought that this…
bart-leby
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"imagine" subjunctive

Can you imagine there is a policeman here? How can you tell him the whole thing? Can you imagine there were a policeman here? How could you tell him the whole thing? I am a little confused about whether I should use subjunctive here. The word…
vincentlin
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If you get up vs If you'll get up

I'm reading The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald and there's one part of the book where Jordan Baker goes to sleep and says: 'Good-night' she said softly. 'Wake me at eight, won't you?' If you'll get up I will. Good-night, Mr Carraway. See you…
Victor Castillo Torres
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Is it grammatically correct to use "want" in a subjunctive sentence?

I know the basic rules of the subjunctive mood. You use the past tense in the if-clause and use "would" in the main clause. I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars. How about "want"? Is it possible to use "want" in the main clause? I…
kuwabara
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Does subjunctive structure always use 'that' word in the begining? How exactly it works?

I have an idea about it but not utterly sure how does it work? I read it in books but it's still confusing; for instance, is it mandatory to be preceded always by the word that? Is there any rules on the base form on the sentence?
Rolan
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"It is high time we leave" or "It is high time we left"

Phrase 1: It is high time we leave. Phrase 2: It is high time we left. Some opinions I have gotten so far imply that both are correct while some imply that only phrase 1 is correct.
user75187
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Is there a future in the past for the subjunctive?

A) If I have a sentence like this: "He suggests that she buy this book.", how should I transform it, if the action happened long ago? I have two versions but I am not sure about them: 1) In 1905, he suggested that she buy that book. 2) In 1905,…
Robert Werner
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Would it be alright if I [present tense/ past tense]?

I heard native speakers use present tense in the following sentence. Would it be alright if I take a rain check?Would it be alright if I call you Annie? But I think the correct grammar is took and called. Are there any circumstances to allow present…
Taro
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"you would try" vs "you tried"

It is in a comedy series when a clerk shows up late and his boss tells this. If It's no big deal we'd sure love it if you'd try to get here at least before lunch. what's the difference between 1)If It's no big deal we'd sure love it if you'd…
Masih K
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Is it ok if I drop "have"?

Mr. Trump called the leaking of information disgraceful comparing it to something that Nazi Germany would have done. Could I change the above sentence to Nazi Germany would do dropping have? Will it change the meaning?
javed iqbal
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It is expected that . . .?

How can I rewrite the following sentence using an impersonal construction? Young people are expected to be polite to the elderly. I think it may be one of the following: "It is expected that young people are polite / would be polite / were polite…
chiaraluna
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Which makes a stronger suggestion: subjunctive or should clause?

(i) It is important that she be reinstated immediately. [subjunctive] (ii) It is important that she should be reinstated immediately. [tensed] (The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language) What is the semantic difference between the two?
Listenever
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The problem of the subjunctive

Consider: It is requested that a vote be taken. It is high time you went to bed. These two sentences express the subjunctive mood. Why do they differ in their form? The first has the infinitive and second one the preterite. Is there some logic…
bart-leby
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