subjunctive

Question

I am writing a formal letter.
In the closing paragraph I was thinking to write (it is addressed to a writer):

"I really hope that the project develop and your story be included in it".

Could you please tell me if a) it makes sense or if there are more elegant ways to say it
b) is it grammatically correct?

Thanks for your help

GPY · Accepted Answer

The subjunctive doesn't sound right here. I would say:

"I really hope that the project develops and that your story is included in it."

Diotima · Answer

Dear GPY,

thanks for your help.
Just for future reference, could you please tell me if the reason why you would not use it it's because the context is wrong but the sentence is 'formally' correct or both context and form are incorrect?
I find the subjunctive-present tense quite difficult. Could you please give me an example when&how you would naturally use it?

Many many thanks!!

GPY · Answer

It isn't right at any level of formality. For whatever reason, the subjunctive is not used with the verb "hope". There are a number of web sites that explain the subjunctive and give as many examples as you could want. For example:

http://www.englishpage.com/minitutorials/subjunctive.html
http://www.ceafinney.com/subjunctive/examples.html

CalifJim · Answer

diotimais it grammatically correct?

No. "hope" doesn't take the subjunctive in English. (Unfortunately, you can't go by which verbs take the subjunctive in your native language.)

There are really very few verbs in English that regularly take the subjunctive; demand, insist, suggest, and recommend come to mind first. Occasionally, you'll see prefer, propose, or request with the subjunctive, and even less often, ask or urge.

CJ

Diotima · Answer

Thanks a lot guys, very informative

!

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