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Deepcosmos Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

"I wish ~ " subjunctive

* I can't cook food without matches.

If we change above sentence in subjunctive mood, which one is correct?

1) I wish I could cook food <with> matches.
2) I wish I could cook food <without> matches.

always thanking your answers,
  

Top answer

"I wish I could cook food without matches" is correct. I don't consider this to be subjunctive.

— Fivejedjon

  • "I wish I could cook food without matches" is correct.
  • I don't consider this to be subjunctive.
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6 Answers
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"I wish I could cook food without matches" is correct. I don't consider this to be subjunctive.
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fivejedjon"I wish I could cook food without matches" is correct. I don't consider this to be subjunctive.
Thanks your answer.

For your reference, I understand above indicative sentence - "I can't cook food without matches." means "I am sorry
that I can't cook food as I don't bring matches." (for example, forgetting to bring matches in case of cam
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As BE is the only verb in English that has a recognisably different pas subjunctive form, and as that form (were in the first and third person singular) is used, in British English, only by a small minority of native speakers, I see no value in considering 'could' in your sentence to be a subjunctive form.
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fivejedjon I see no value in considering 'could' in your sentence to be a subjunctive form
If original sentence - "I can't cook food without matches." means "I am sorry that I can't
cook food as I don't bring matches.", which is close to original one (though you don't
consider this to be subjunctive) ?

1) I wish I could cook food <with>
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deepcosmosIf original sentence - "I can't cook food without matches." means "I am sorry that I can't cook food as I don't bring matches.",
It doesn't. You have added 'I am sorry' and the idea of not bringing matches.
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It doesn't. You have added 'I am sorry' and the idea of not bringing matches.
Many thanks for your further reply.
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