Do the English have subjunctive mood?

Hello,

Yes though different from the Latin languages which use it for expressing doubt, emotion or uncertainty.Though I can't recall learning the subjunctive in English classes, I did in Spanish French and Latin.

In English there are varying definitions of the the subjunctive. The Webster dictionary defines the subjunctive as “in grammar, designating or of that mood of a verb used to express condition, hypothesis, contingency, possibility, etc., rather than to state an actual fact: distinguished from imperative, indicative.”

Examples:

If I were you, then I would not do that.

I am not you, however, so I use the subjunctive to express this hypothetical or counterfactual condition. Especially note that the modern usage If I was you is completely incorrect.

If only she were here, then she would speak up.

She is not here, however, so the subjunctive expresses that fact appropriately. Again, If only she was has drifted into modern usage and should be avoided.

We should act as if he were watching.

We doubt that he is watching or know that he is not.

It is as though she were here.

We know she is not here, but it seems so.

Wishful statements

She wishes she were not here.

The modern usage She wishes she was is incorrect.

He wishes he had a rifle.

Without the subjuctive, this would be constructed in the indicative as He wishes he has a rifle, but the indicative is incorrect.

I wish he knew.

This formulation is distinctly different the following indicative statement: I wish he know (which makes no sense). The indicative is inappropriate here.

Conjunctive formulations

Do this now, lest you be troubled later.

Lest typically takes the subjunctive.

He keeps the fidelity, though he face so many temptations.

Here, though takes the subjunctive. This sounds very pretentious.

Whether it be right, we shall continue.

They like all cats, be they large or small, short or tall, ...

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Yes, I read the question; lived in the UK and heard of subjunctive and how it was related but to English. Latin and French were taught in schools there and when explaining the subjuncive, examples in English are in order. I thought you'd like a little proof that I know of it. Also there are quite a few Canadians and Americans who do not know what it is either.

I know what you're asking. It probably would have been less confusing to use "British" or "UK" rather than "English." -- This is more of a comment on people's reading comprehension skills in the internet rather than you're writing style. The English are subject to the same rules of the subjunctive mood as Ameribans. The subjunctive is the same in American and British English.

I would have imagined that the Brits to be more proper in their application of grammar than Americans, but I can totally imagine someone with a Cockney accent using totally wrong grammar.

I listen to NPR in the car, and the broadcast a news programme, "World Have Your Say" from the BBC. The news anchors there always use the subjunctive mood properly.

Ironically, in the following reference, it states that Brits normally use the subjuntive mood more often than Americans. Anne Coulter can't even use it properly on a consistent basis and she rakes it in. People also use "if' too often in place of "whether" We need to bring the subjunctive and "whether" back into vogue.

Referenced reference from the Second Source:

"Övergaard G (1995). The mandative subjunctive in American and British English in the 20th century (Uppsala: University of Uppsala, ISBN 91-554-3675-5)."

yes and no.

in english we construct a subjunctive mood through a grammar structure, in other languages there is a specific/unique verb conjugation to denote subjunctive.

Actually, the English think they are subjective; and everyone is their subjects: not the same as the subjects of a sentence. Besides, how do you correct the English, they are as flawed as their out of date way of communicating in English.

Let the Americans who speak English revolt; and let the USA speak in the more proper American Language. Because the English ain't got no American book learnin... Well duh... LOL... Doh...