subjunctive

subjunctive
—subjunctively, adv.
/seuhb jungk"tiv/, Gram.
adj.
1. (in English and certain other languages) noting or pertaining to a mood or mode of the verb that may be used for subjective, doubtful, hypothetical, or grammatically subordinate statements or questions, as the mood of be in if this be treason. Cf. imperative (def. 3), indicative (def. 2).
n.
2. the subjunctive mood or mode.
3. a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.
[1520-30; < LL subjunctivus, equiv. to subjunct(us) (ptp. of subjungere to subjoin, equiv. to sub- SUB- + jung(ere) to JOIN + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ivus -IVE]
Usage. The subjunctive mood of the verb, once used extensively in English, has largely disappeared today. The subjunctive survives, though by no means consistently, in sentences with conditional clauses contrary to fact and in subordinate clauses after verbs like wish: If the house were nearer to the road, we would hear more traffic noise. I wish I were in Florida. The subjunctive also occurs in subordinate that clauses after a main clause expressing recommendation, resolution, demand, etc.: We ask that each tenant take (not takes) responsibility for keeping the front door locked. It is important that only fresh spinach be (not is) used.
The subjunctive occurs too in some established or idiomatic expressions: So be it. Heaven help us. God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Were in the phrase as it were, meaning "in a way," is a subjunctive: His apology, as it were, sounded more like an insult.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:
, , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Subjunctive — Sub*junc tive, n. (Gram.) The subjunctive mood; also, a verb in the subjunctive mood. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Subjunctive — Sub*junc tive, a. [L. subjunctivus, fr. subjungere, subjunctum, to subjoin: cf. F. subjonctif. See {Subjoin}.] Subjoined or added to something before said or written. [1913 Webster] {Subjunctive mood} (Gram.), that form of a verb which express… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • subjunctive — 1520s, mood employed to denote an action or state as conceived and not as a fact, from L.L. subjunctivus serving to join, connecting, from pp. stem of subjungere to append, add at the end, place under, from sub under (see SUB (Cf. sub )) +… …   Etymology dictionary

  • subjunctive — Grammar ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of a form of a verb) expressing what is imagined or wished or possible. ► NOUN ▪ a verb in the subjunctive mood. ORIGIN Latin subjunctivus, from subjungere add to, join in addition …   English terms dictionary

  • subjunctive — [səb juŋk′tiv] adj. [LL subjunctivus < L subjunctus, pp. of subjungere, to SUBJOIN] Gram. designating or of the mood of a verb that is used to express supposition, desire, hypothesis, possibility, etc., rather than to state an actual fact (Ex …   English World dictionary

  • subjunctive — sub•junc•tive [[t]səbˈdʒʌŋk tɪv[/t]] adj. 1) gram. of or designating a grammatical mood typically used for subjective, doubtful, hypothetical, or grammatically subordinate statements or questions, as the mood of be in if this be treason Compare… …   From formal English to slang

  • subjunctive — I. adjective Etymology: Late Latin subjunctivus, from Latin subjunctus, past participle of subjungere to join beneath, subordinate Date: 1530 of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents a denoted act or state …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • subjunctive — /səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv / (say suhb jungktiv) Grammar –adjective 1. (in many languages) designating or relating to a verb mood having among its functions the expression of contingent or hypothetical action. For example, in the sentence Were I but king,… …  

  • subjunctive — 1. adjective inflected to indicate that an act or state of being is possible, contingent or hypothetical, and not a fact. English examples include so be it; I wouldn’t if I were you; were I a younger man, I would fight back; I asked that he leave …   Wiktionary

  • subjunctive — sub|junc|tive [səbˈdʒʌŋktıv] n [Date: 1500 1600; : Late Latin; Origin: subjunctivus, from Latin subjunctus, past participle of subjungere to join below, subordinate ] a verb form or a set of verb forms in grammar, used in some languages to… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”