0
Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
The conjunctive tense
I am attempting to learn French, but one of the difficulties I have found is not understanding my own language! I don't really understand the subjunctive/conjunctive tense and I'm not sure how often I use it.
I know that this tense is used after the keyword "that". I adapted the following example from wikipedia: "It was required that he go to the back of the line". If I am not mistaken, the conjugation for the present tense is "He goes", but using the sentence after the word "that", "go" is used instead. I used this website to have a look at the simple conjugations of the verb "to go" in English: http://www.verbix.com/cache/webverbix/20/go.shtml
Similarly, I checked out the conjugations for "to be" and the website suggests that I am, You are, He is etc become I be, You be, He be etc. It definitely sounds strange. "I hope that he be quick". Usually, anyone would say "I hope that he is quick"
I know that this tense is used after the keyword "that". I adapted the following example from wikipedia: "It was required that he go to the back of the line". If I am not mistaken, the conjugation for the present tense is "He goes", but using the sentence after the word "that", "go" is used instead. I used this website to have a look at the simple conjugations of the verb "to go" in English: http://www.verbix.com/cache/webverbix/20/go.shtml
Similarly, I checked out the conjugations for "to be" and the website suggests that I am, You are, He is etc become I be, You be, He be etc. It definitely sounds strange. "I hope that he be quick". Usually, anyone would say "I hope that he is quick"
Top answer
org/wiki/Subjunctive#The_subjunctive_in_English on the subjunctive mood in English. Examples: The court demanded that the accused be present for the hearing. If I were queen of the universe, I would outlaw all wars.
- org/wiki/Subjunctive#The_subjunctive_in_English on the subjunctive mood in English.
- Examples: The court demanded that the accused be present for the hearing.
- If I were queen of the universe, I would outlaw all wars.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
4 Answers
0
Check out the excellent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive#The_subjunctive_in_English on the subjunctive mood in English.
Examples:
The court demanded that the accused be present for the hearing.
If I were queen of the universe, I would outlaw all wars
Examples:
The court demanded that the accused be present for the hearing.
If I were queen of the universe, I would outlaw all wars
00
The French use the subjunctive a lot more than we do in English.
"I hope" is not a good example in English. It does not take the subjunctive.
Use the present tense of demand, suggest, insist, recommend, require, and prefer to get the hang of it.
With the verb be in the (present) subjunctive:
I demand that you be on time.
Do you
"I hope" is not a good example in English. It does not take the subjunctive.
Use the present tense of demand, suggest, insist, recommend, require, and prefer to get the hang of it.
With the verb be in the (present) subjunctive:
I demand that you be on time.
Do you
00
Dude, dont forget the classic:
wish you were here
it sounds as strange, it is subjunctive, that's grammar.
wish you were here
it sounds as strange, it is subjunctive, that's grammar.
00
oops, I was so taken by the citation i forgot to finish my post:
by the same token, you'd say
I wish I were there.
If I were the teacher...
:-)
by the same token, you'd say
I wish I were there.
If I were the teacher...
:-)
0
Related Questions