subjunctive

[suh b-juhngk-tiv] /səbˈdʒʌŋk tɪv/
adjective
1.
(in English and certain other languages) noting or pertaining to a mood or mode of the verb that may be used for subjective, doubtful, hypothetical, or grammatically subordinate statements or questions, as the mood of be in if this be treason.
Compare imperative (def 3), indicative (def 2).
noun
2.
the subjunctive mood or mode.
3.
a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.
Origin
1520-30; < Late Latin subjunctīvus, equivalent to subjunct(us) (past participle of subjungere to subjoin, equivalent to sub- sub- + jung(ere) to join + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
subjunctively, adverb
Usage note
The subjunctive mood of the verb, once used extensively in English, has largely disappeared today. The subjunctive survives, though by no means consistently, in sentences with conditional clauses contrary to fact and in subordinate clauses after verbs like wish: If the house were nearer to the road, we would hear more traffic noise. I wish I were in Florida. The subjunctive also occurs in subordinate that clauses after a main clause expressing recommendation, resolution, demand, etc.: We ask that each tenant take (not takes) responsibility for keeping the front door locked. It is important that only fresh spinach be (not is) used. The subjunctive occurs too in some established or idiomatic expressions: So be it. Heaven help us. God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Were in the phrase as it were, meaning “in a way,” is a subjunctive: His apology, as it were, sounded more like an insult.
Examples from the web for subjunctive
  • You're lucky if you find the subjunctive in a modern grammar.
  • Alas, history does not possess the subjunctive mood.
  • The subjunctive gives the key: he might say, but he won't.
  • For this reason the sentence requires the use of the subjunctive to indicate a supposition contrary to fact.
  • Because the subjunctive case likely cannot be proved grammatically incorrect, the writer is saved.
  • Conditional sentences using the subjunctive also need might.
  • For now, though, the subjunctive mood is the right one.
  • It appears to me, quite clearly, to require the subjunctive.
  • There are no instances of conditional, hypothetical, or subjunctive modality in this text.
  • The subjunctive mood expresses a hypothetical situation or contingency.
British Dictionary definitions for subjunctive

subjunctive

/səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/
adjective
1.
(grammar) denoting a mood of verbs used when the content of the clause is being doubted, supposed, feared true, etc, rather than being asserted. The rules for its use and the range of meanings it may possess vary considerably from language to language. In the following sentence, were is in the subjunctive: I'd think very seriously about that if I were you Compare indicative
noun
2.
(grammar)
  1. the subjunctive mood
  2. a verb in this mood
subj
Derived Forms
subjunctively, adverb
Word Origin
C16: via Late Latin subjunctīvus, from Latin subjungere to subjoin
Word Origin and History for subjunctive

1520s, "mood employed to denote an action or state as conceived and not as a fact," from Late Latin subjunctivus "serving to join, connecting," from past participle stem of subjungere "to append, add at the end, place under," from sub "under" (see sub-) + jungere "to join" (see jugular). The Latin modus subjunctivus probably is a grammarians' loan-translation of Greek hypotaktike enklisis "subordinated," so called because the Greek subjunctive mood is used almost exclusively in subordinate clauses.

subjunctive in Culture

subjunctive definition


A grammatical form of verbs implying hypothetical action or condition. Subjunctives are italicized in these sentences: “If Mr. Stafford were [not “was”] fluent in French, he could communicate with his employees more effectively”; “If Sheila had been here, she would have helped us with our math.”