Subjuctive tense

Question

Is the subjunctive tense to be used?It better that he think we're not home.Thanks

Philip · Accepted Answer

It's better that he think we're not home. - Good example of the subjunctive mood.

Fivejedjon · Answer

That would be uncommon in British English. We would say, "It's better that he thinks ..." or "It's better that he should think ...".

Grammarfreak · Answer

My passing two cents on the subjunctive.....
There has always been this quandary about the use of the subjunctive and indicative mood between the BrE and AmE vairiety. In American English, the verb always remains in its root form in subjunctive mood, even in the 3^rdperson case, and the use of "should" is considered non-standard. For example: I recommend that Jack be put on probation for sleeping on the job. As odd as it sounds, that would be the American version. However, I have come across many who speak BrE and they would say " .....Jack is / should be put on probation..". In either case, there is no doubt about the meaning, it just one of those interesting, yet confusing points in English that drives the learners insane.

This article says it well:
There most certainly is a US/UK difference on this use of the subjunctive,
as I mentioned in an earlier post in this thread.

This has led some observers to speak of the "disappearing subjunctive" in
Britain among educated speakers and writers.

A growing tendency to use the indicative verb ("I suggest that he is
fired") where traditional grammar prescribes the subjunctive ("I suggest
that he be fired") is also mirrored in Australian usage. I'm not sure of the
state of play in Canada.

In the US, usage handbooks, as well as educated usage, come down very firmly
in the ""I suggest that he be fired" camp.

In Britain, the issue is not nearly as clear cut, with many arguing that
this use of the subjunctive is archaic.

To those of us raised on traditional grammar rules, this new-fangled
indicative substitution just sounds wrong. More precisely, it sounds like
hypercorrection by timid speakers who have no idea what "subjunctive" refers
to.

--
Mike West
(US expat in Australia)

Fivejedjon · Answer

grammarfreakTo those of us raised on traditional grammar rules, this new-fangled indicative substitution just sounds wrong. More precisely, it sounds like hypercorrection by timid speakers who have no idea what "subjunctive" refers to.

Some of those Brits who, like me, still use the present subjunctive accept that the language is changing, as it has done throughout its history. Those who use the indicative do so because they believe it to be correct - and it is in BrE, nowadays. The present subjunctive is not yet completely dead, but it has a rather old-fashioned ring to it.

Philip · Answer

fivejedjonThe present subjunctive is not yet completely dead, but it has a rather old-fashioned ring to it.

When I first responded to the post, my goal was to indicate that the subjunctive is a mood rather than a tense. I agree that it sounds old-fashioned, but I still like to throw it into conversations now and then. This has been a good discussion, and it remnds me that I never did found (and get funded) The Society for the Preservation of the Use of the Subjunctive in American English. Annual dues of $1 were to be sent directly to me @ Philip, SPUSAE.

Fivejedjon · Answer

fivejedjonThe present subjunctive is not yet completely dead, but it has a rather old-fashioned ring to it.

If any American subjunctive-user feel (!) upset by this, I must sress that was talking about British English.

Philip · Answer

fivejedjon fivejedjonThe present subjunctive is not yet completely dead, but it has a rather old-fashioned ring to it.If any American subjunctive-user feel (!) upset by this, I must sress that was talking about British English.

I'm sure there is no offense, no reason to be upset.

Subjuctive tense

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