Subjunctive mood

Question

Hi, I wonder when you use the "subjunctive mood" in english and what's the difference to "reported speech".

"If I were you, I would have done this"
were = subjunctive

"If I flown to the moon, I would have moon rocks now."
flown = subjunctive?

"If I had flown to the moon, I would have had moon rocks."
had flown = subjunctive?

I have read that the subjunctive is always just an infinitive form - but aren't all "if" sentences (type2/3) starting with a subjunctive construction, though?

And do you use the "subjunctive mood" to form reported speech?

Thank you

Fivejedjon · Accepted Answer

AnonymousHi, I wonder when you use the "subjunctive mood" in english and what's the difference to "reported speech"."If I were you, I would have done this"were = subjunctive

The answer for BrE is that the subjunctive is practically dead for most people.

"If I were you" is virtually the only expression in which many people still use a subjunctive form.

Anonymous"If I flown to the moon, I would have moon rocks now."flown = subjunctive?

That is incorrect. 'I flown' does not exist as a verb form.

AnonymousI have read that the subjunctive is always just an infinitive form - but aren't all "if" sentences (type2/3) starting with a subjunctive construction, though?

As 'were'is the only subjunctive form that is different from the indicative in the past tense, there seems little point in considering the hundreds of other past-tense forms subjunctive.

AnonymousAnd do you use the "subjunctive mood" to form reported speech?

No,

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you!

I have two further questions:

1) What is actually the difference between "If I was there, I would do..." and "If I were there, I would do..."?
I thought that the If-type2/3 always speaks about something that is improbable or just an imaginiation, so in conclusion the If clause should always be subjunctive, correct? And when you say "If I was a girl, I would..." the if-sentence isn't used as a conditional sentence but rather like the word "when", right?

2) What mood is this sentence:
"I wish I had something to eat"
Is this subjunctive? I think it may be the form you use in If-sentences...?

Thanks in advance!

Fivejedjon · Answer

Anonymous1) What is actually the difference between "If I was there, I would do..." and "If I were there, I would do..."?I thought that the If-type2/3 always speaks about something that is improbable or just an imaginiation, so in conclusion the If clause should always be subjunctive, correct? And when you say "If I was a girl, I would..." the if-sentence isn't used as a conditional sentence but rather like the word "when", right?

More conservative speakers of Br e insist that only the subjunctive for 'were' is correct inconditional sentences about a counterfactual present or hypothetical future situation. However, an increasing number of people use indicative 'was' in the first and third person singular. This does not change the meaning.

Anonymous What mood is this sentence:"I wish I had something to eat"

Technically it's subjunctive. As we can't see or hear the difference between the past indicative or subjunctive forms of any English verb except BE, and as probably 90% or more of native speakers don't know it's subjunctive, the mood is unimportant.

Anonymous · Answer

AnonymousHi, I wonder when you use the "subjunctive mood"

See this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_subjunctive#Use_of_the_present_subjunctive

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI have read that the subjunctive is always just an infinitive form

That's for the present subjunctive, also called the mandative or the mandative construction. All you need to learn is the few verbs and other expressions that trigger the use of this construction.

It's important that you be there on time. / The boss insisted that we be there on time. /
The doctor will probably suggest that she rest for a few days.
_____________

Your post is more about the past subjunctive, and rather than make a big production of it, it's best to learn instead where the past is used with the meaning of an imagined present or future, e.g., after "if". If the sun exploded, we'd all be dead in a matter of minutes. Then all you add is the simple rule that "was" changes to "were" (optionally, especially for the British) in these environments. If the earth was/were flat, we might fall off the edge.

CJ

Fivejedjon · Answer

CalifJimThen all you add is the simple rule that "was" changes to "were" (optionally, especially for the British) in these environments

I should add that it's a good idea to use 'were' if you are taking any form of test or examination. There are still some teachers and examiners who consider 'was' to be incorrect.

Subjunctive mood

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions