0
Paris zhao Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
A sentence in Subjunctive Mood taken from KJV Bible Amos
I met a sentence in KJV Bible, which I find difficult to understand the syntax, could you help me ?
"Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?" (KJV Bible, Amos 3:4)
My question is: In the exact same context, why the mood in the second sentence is subjunctive, while the first is indicative?
thank you.
"Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?" (KJV Bible, Amos 3:4)
My question is: In the exact same context, why the mood in the second sentence is subjunctive, while the first is indicative?
thank you.
Top answer
The operative may be if .
- The operative may be if .
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
2 Answers
0
0
I agree. It seems to me that at the time this was written, 'when' governed the indicative and 'if' governed the subjunctive.
Maybe someone who is knowledgeable in the history of English grammar can confirm this.
CJ
Maybe someone who is knowledgeable in the history of English grammar can confirm this.
CJ
0
Related Questions