subjunctive.html

The Subjunctive Mood

I. General

Subjunctive - the mood that conveys "potential, tentative, hypothetical, ideal or unreal action," usually expressed in English through the use of auxiliaries. It portrays the predicate as an idea abstracting it from reality. It also has several idiomatic uses such as commands, conditions, and multiple dependant clauses (the clauses are often translated as beginning with may, might, would, or should).

II. Morphology

To Form the Subjunctive Present: use the normal endings (-m, -s, -t, -mus, -tis, -nt in the Active, -r, -ris, -tur, -mur, -mini, -ntur in the Passive) attached to the base of the verb and a new vowel used to denote the subjunctive. These vowels are as follows, "e" for the 1st conjugation, "ea" for the 2nd, "a" for the 3rd, and "ia" for both the 3rd "io" verbs, and for the 4th conjugation verbs. A memory tool for the vowels that are used in the present subjunctive is the following sentence: She wears a diamond tiara.

III. Peculiarites in the tenses

Imperfect: use the aforementioned normal endings attached to the 2nd principle part.

Perfect: In the Active voice attach -erim, -eris, -erit, -erimus, -eritis, -erint, to the 3rd principal part. In the Passive voice use the 4th principal part followed by the subjunctive of sum (sim, sis, sit, simus, sitis, sint).

Pluperfect: In the Active voice attach -issem, -isses, -isset, -issemus, - issetis, -issent, to the 3rd principal part. In the Passive voice use the 4th principle part followed by essem, esses, esset, essemus, essetis, essent.

* Note: remember to use the singular form of the 4th principal part when verb is singular, and the plural form when the verb is plural.

IV. Uses of the subjunctive in independent clauses

(from Allen and Greenough)

1. As an exhortation or command (Hortatory subjunctive)

a. often translated as "letÖ," the 2nd person is used as an indefinite subject (except within a prohibition), the imperfect and perfect indicate an "unfulfilled obligation" often translated as "ÖshouldÖ". To negate use "ne."

2. A concession (Concessive subjunctive)

a. The Present tense is used for present time; the perfect tense is used for past actions, to negate use "ne."

3. A wish (Optative subjunctive)

a. often preceded by "ut" or "utinam" or sometimes "si." Possible translations: "would thatÖ" and "I wish that IÖ" This subjunctive can also be preceded by "velim" or "vellem."
b. used in asseverations.

4. A question of doubt (Deliberative subjunctive)

a. also known as exclamatory, "implying doubt, indignation, (or) impossibility." To negate use "non," often translated "could I think," "shall I" and frequently preceded by question words.
b. often expects an imperative answer.

5. A possibility of contingency (Potential subjunctive)

a. used to suggest that an action is possible or feasible. To negate use "non." Present and perfect cases imply the immediate future, Imperfect, the past, and on rare occasions the pluperfect is used to suggest "what might have happened."
b. uses: cautious or modest assertations (present and perfect, 1st person singular) "I would say," indefinite assertations, "you would think."
c. used with "forsitan," "perhaps," and other words that suggest the action is possible or feasible.
d. can vary in meaning from an uncertain opinion to "moral certainty." (may, might Æ must)
e. the imperfect Subjunctive is often used in the "Ideal 2nd person," referring to a nonexistent "you."