Subjunctive
How many times have you used or heard these expressions?
- be that as it may
- far be it from me
- if it please the court
- if need be
- truth be told
- God bless [you / her/ him / us / them/ every one]
- come what may
- God / Heaven forbid!
- perish the thought
- God save [ the Queen / the King / our merry band]
- suffice it to say
- long live [the bride and groom / the Queen]
Did you know that they are all examples of the use of the subjunctive?
Usage
The subjunctive is a verb mood used in dependent clauses to express wishes, commands, emotion, possibility, judgment, necessity, or statements that are contrary to facts at present.
Basically we use the subjunctive to talk about events that we want to happen, we hope will happen or we imagine happening.
Verbs that are commonly used with the subjunctive are: advise, ask, beg, decide, decree, desire, dictate, insist, intend, move, order, petition, propose, recommend, request, require, resolve, suggest, urge, and vote.
The subjunctive is also found in this type of construction:
Often the past subjunctive of the verb 'to be' is used after: if, as if, wish, suppose.
Formation
In practice the subjunctive has the same form as the infinitive without to. it differs from the infinitive in only three cases:
1. in the 3rd person singular of the present tense as it takes no -s.
2. with the verb to be in the present tense, which does not change according to the person.
3. in the 1st person singular & 3rd person singular of the verb to be in the past tense, which remains were.
