Subjunctives
Uses of Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used for:
1) conditions contrary to fact;
2) wishes, recommendations, and demands in clauses introduced by that or in clauses in which that is implied; and
3) certain idiomatic expressions.
1) conditions contrary to fact;
2) wishes, recommendations, and demands in clauses introduced by that or in clauses in which that is implied; and
3) certain idiomatic expressions.
Conditions Contrary to Facts
A condition that cannot be true is known as a condition contrary to fact.
Example:
If1 were ten years younger, I would take up water polo.
In the sentence above, the presence of a condition is signaled by the conjunction If. Because the condition is contrary to fact, the subjunctive were is used.
Example:
If1 were ten years younger, I would take up water polo.
In the sentence above, the presence of a condition is signaled by the conjunction If. Because the condition is contrary to fact, the subjunctive were is used.
"That" Clauses
Clauses introduced by that or clauses in which that is implied frequently express wishes, recommendations, demands, orders, formal motions, or parliamentary resolutions. The subjunctive is used in these clauses.
Examples:
1) I wish that I were President of the United States.
2) I recommend that he take a trip abroad.
3) We demand that they be silenced.
4) We ask only that the guilty be punished.
5) She moved that parliamentary procedure be laid aside.
6) Resolved, that a fifty-first state be admitted to the union.
The relative pronoun that can be omitted from the first three of the preceding sentences without changing meaning and without altering the requirement for employing the subjunctive mood:
1) I wish I were President of the United States.
2) I recommend he take a trip abroad.
3) We demand they be silenced.
Examples:
1) I wish that I were President of the United States.
2) I recommend that he take a trip abroad.
3) We demand that they be silenced.
4) We ask only that the guilty be punished.
5) She moved that parliamentary procedure be laid aside.
6) Resolved, that a fifty-first state be admitted to the union.
The relative pronoun that can be omitted from the first three of the preceding sentences without changing meaning and without altering the requirement for employing the subjunctive mood:
1) I wish I were President of the United States.
2) I recommend he take a trip abroad.
3) We demand they be silenced.