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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Subjunctive?
Hi,
According to Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary, in its definition of the word 'swipe', it gave this sentence example, and I wonder if it should be the subjunctive. As far as I know, 'as though' and 'as if' almost always, if not always, make a sentence the subjunctive.
She swiped at Rusty as though he was a fly.
According to Collins/Cobuild Compact English Learner's Dictionary, in its definition of the word 'swipe', it gave this sentence example, and I wonder if it should be the subjunctive. As far as I know, 'as though' and 'as if' almost always, if not always, make a sentence the subjunctive.
She swiped at Rusty as though he was a fly.
Top answer
You make of confusion, which is made by many, of linking the mood used (subjunctive or indicative) to the form of the verb, not to the meaning of the sentence. As your sentence indicates unreality , it is in the subjunctive mood (informal speech, I'd say). Unfortunately, only few grammars make this distinction well.
- You make of confusion, which is made by many, of linking the mood used (subjunctive or indicative) to the form of the verb, not to the meaning of the sentence.
- As your sentence indicates unreality , it is in the subjunctive mood (informal speech, I'd say).
- Unfortunately, only few grammars make this distinction well.
- This classic does it properly.
- I strongly suggest you read the chapter on the subjunctives in it (find it in a library or buy it; caveat: not easy to read).
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9 Answers
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You make of confusion, which is made by many, of linking the mood used (subjunctive or indicative) to the form of the verb, not to the meaning of the sentence.
As your sentence indicates unreality, it is in the subjunctive mood (informal speech, I'd say).
Unfortunately, only few grammars make this distinction well.
This classic
As your sentence indicates unreality, it is in the subjunctive mood (informal speech, I'd say).
Unfortunately, only few grammars make this distinction well.
This classic
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Hi
in my opinion, it can be either subjunctive or indicative (simple past).
She's swiping at Rusty as though he's a fly. (indicative, simple present - He is not a fly - general statement)
She swiped at Rusty as though he was a fly. (indicative, simple past - He was not a fly - statement that refers to the past)
She's swiping at Rusty as tho
in my opinion, it can be either subjunctive or indicative (simple past).
She's swiping at Rusty as though he's a fly. (indicative, simple present - He is not a fly - general statement)
She swiped at Rusty as though he was a fly. (indicative, simple past - He was not a fly - statement that refers to the past)
She's swiping at Rusty as tho
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BelieverShe swiped at Rusty as though heYes, it is subjunctive.waswere a fly.
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Hi, Marius,
For those three sentences from A Grammar of the English Language, are you saying it is context or the intent of the writer that will determine whether each of them is indicative or the subjunctive?
I wish it was tomorrow!
I wish I had wings!
They afterwards wished they had arrested him.
For those three sentences from A Grammar of the English Language, are you saying it is context or the intent of the writer that will determine whether each of them is indicative or the subjunctive?
I wish it was tomorrow!
I wish I had wings!
They afterwards wished they had arrested him.
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The intent of the writer, if properly expressed, makes the content, so I am not quite sure what you're after.
All three are subjunctives IMO, the 1st one informal.
All three are subjunctives IMO, the 1st one informal.
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In case anyone's interested:
Google results:
"as though he was" 354000
"as though he were" 674000
"as if he was" 1280000
"as if he were" 2180000
CJ
Google results:
"as though he was" 354000
"as though he were" 674000
"as if he was" 1280000
"as if he were" 2180000
CJ
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CalifJimGoogle results:Hi CJ,
"as though he was" 354000
"as though he were" 674000
"as if he was" 1280000
"as if he were" 2180000
How much weight do you give to such results? Do you believe webpages reflect common use?
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There are lots of problems with accepting Google results at face value, many of which have been discussed in detail in these forums. Nevertheless, they are useful for getting a good general impression of usage across all registers. They are of absolutely no use for those who want a prescriptive approach, of course, because the results are all statistical in nature, and it's not always true
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CalifJim In the specific case at hand, the rough conclusion is that "as if he were" and "as though he were" constructions outnumber the corresponding patterns with "was" two to one.Uh-oh! No! I'm afraid there's no conclusion at all, not even a rough one...
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