subjunctive
[ suh b-juhngk-tiv ]
/ səbˈdʒʌŋk tɪv /
adjective
(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.
Compare imperative(def 3), indicative(def 2).
noun
the subjunctive mood or mode.
a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.
Origin of subjunctive
usage note for subjunctive
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM subjunctive
sub·junc·tive·ly, adverbWords nearby subjunctive
subjoin,
subjoinder,
subjugate,
subjugation,
subjunction,
subjunctive,
subkingdom,
sublanguage,
sublapsarian,
sublapsarianism,
sublate
Example sentences from the Web for subjunctive
British Dictionary definitions for subjunctive
subjunctive
/ (səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv) /
adjective
grammar
denoting a mood of verbs used when the content of the clause is being doubted, supposed, feared true, etc, rather than being asserted. The rules for its use and the range of meanings it may possess vary considerably from language to language. In the following sentence, were is in the subjunctive
I'd think very seriously about that if I were you Compare indicative
noun
grammar
- the subjunctive mood
- a verb in this mood
Abbreviation:
subj
Derived forms of subjunctive
subjunctively, adverbWord Origin for subjunctive
C16: via Late Latin
subjunctīvus, from Latin
subjungere to
subjoin
Cultural definitions for subjunctive
subjunctive
A grammatical form of verbs implying hypothetical action or condition. Subjunctives are italicized in these sentences: “If Mr. Stafford were [not “was”] fluent in French, he could communicate with his employees more effectively”; “If Sheila had been here, she would have helped us with our math.”