Subjunctive Mood in Subject Clause
The Subjunctive Mood is used in subject clauses after a principal clause of the type It is necessary, It is important, etc. The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should is used for all persons. Affirmative Interrogative It is (was) necessaryIt is (was) importantIt is (was) rightIt is (was) requestedIt is (was) recommendedIt is (was) obligatoryIt is (was) better (best)It is (was) desirableIt is (was) of vital importance that he should come The Subjunctive Mood is used in subject clauses after a principal clause of the type It is necessary, It is important, etc. The analytical subjunctive with the [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Predicative Clause
The Subjunctive Mood is used in predicative clauses: #1. introduced by the conjunctions, as if, as though, when we find the link verbs to be, to feel, to look, to seem, in the principal clause. If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs, the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. If the action of the subordinate, clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used. [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Adverbial Clauses of Comparison
The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of comparison (or manner) introduced by the conjunctions as if and as though (the latter is more literary). If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs, the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. She speaks (spoke) about him as if she knew him well. She greeted him as if he were her brother. (Galsworthy) Не speaks as if he knew you! (Collins) Rex got from his [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Adverbial Clauses of Time and Place
The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of time and place after the conjunctions whenever and wherever; in these cases, the clauses have an additional concessive meaning. Whenever you may (might) come, you are welcome. Wherever she may (might) live, she will always find friends. Of course, I shall come for your marriage, whenever that may be fixed.(Trollope)
Subjunctive Mood in Adverbial Clauses of Concession
The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of concession. Adverbial clauses of concession are introduced by the conjunctions and connectives though, although, however, no matter, whatever, whoever, etc. The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) is generally used. Though he may (might) be tired he will go to the concert. Tired though he may (might) be he will go to the concert. No matter how tired he may (might) be he will go to the concert. However tired he may (might) be he will go to the concert. Whatever obstacles may arise, we shall not give in. [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of purpose. When a clause of purpose is introduced by the conjunctions that, so that, in order that, we find the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) if the principal clause refers to the present or future; if the principal clause refers to the past, only the form might is used. As has already been, stated, the mood auxiliary may (might) retains in this case a shade of modality. She opens (will open) the window that she may (might) get a breath of fresh air. She opened the window [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Conditional Sentences
The Subjunctive Mood is, used in conditional sentences to express an unreal condition (in the subordinate clause) and an unreal consequence (in the principal clause). In sentences of unreal condition referring to the present or future the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used in the subordinate clause; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. In the principal clause we find the analytical subjunctive consisting of the mood auxiliary should or would and the Indefinite Infinitive. Should is used with the first person singular and plural, would is used [...]
Subjunctive Mood in Simple Sentences
In simple sentences, the synthetic forms of the Subjunctive Mood are more frequent than the analytical forms. In simple sentences the Subjunctive Mood is used: #1. to express a wish: Long live the Faithful People! Success attend you! То express wish the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may is also used. May success attend you! May you live long and die happy! #2. to express an unreal wish: If only he were free! (Galsworthy) #3. in oaths and imprecations: Manners be hanged! Confound these flies! #4. in some expressions: Suffice it to say that... Be it so! God forbid! [...]
Analytical Forms Of The Subjunctive Mood
The analytical forms of the Subjunctive Mood consist of the mood auxiliaries should, would, may (might) or shall (which is seldom used) and the infinitive of the notional verb. Mr. Barkis... proposed that my pocket-handkerchief should be spread upon the horse’s back to dry. (Dickens) Yates wished Bing would stop thanking him, but Bing went on. (Heym) Whoever you may be, Sir, I am deeply grateful to you. (Dickens) She lowered the blind and closed the shutters that he might not see the sun set. (Voynich) I propose that you shall come along with me. (Dickens) Mood auxiliaries have [...]
Synthetic form of the Subjunctive Mood
The synthetic forms of the Subjunctive Mood can be traced to the Old English period when the Subjunctive Mood was chiefly expressed by synthetic, forms. In Old English the Subjunctive Mood had a special set of inflections, different from those of the Indicative. In course of time most of the inflections were lost and the difference between the forms of the Subjunctive and those of the Indicative has almost disappeared. However, in Modern English there are a few synthetic forms of the Subjunctive which have survived; they are as follows: the Present Subjunctive of all the verbs and the [...]