Understanding the subjunctive mood

What are the three grammatical moods?

In English, a grammatical mood is the form that a verb takes in order for us to understand a sentence. For example, if you want to gauge the attitude of a speaker, are you hearing a fact, a command, or a wish? By understanding the ways that verbs fit these differing moods, you can eliminate ambiguity in your speeches and writing.

Along with the indicative mood and the imperative mood, the subjunctive is one of three grammatical moods in English. Take a look at some examples of each key mood.

Indicative mood

The most common of the three moods is the indicative mood. This mood states a fact or opinion. Examples are:

• The sky is gray this afternoon.
• Dolphins are majestic creatures.
• That man is a bank teller.

Imperative mood

The imperative mood issues a command or an order. Examples are:

• Shut the door and have a seat.
• Make your bed.
• Thank you, please come again!

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Subjunctive mood

The subjunctive mood expresses wishful or hypothetical thoughts and emotions beyond simple statements of fact. Examples are:

• Every member should have a vote.
• She wishes that she could be an astronaut someday.
• I think you should leave.

In-depth with subjunctive moods

A subjunctive mood allows you to convey feelings, desires, and hypotheticals in a nuanced way. Not only does it encompass simple wishes and hopes or hypotheticals, but it can also express ideas and sentiments that are otherwise difficult to put in words. For example, the following are specific usages of the subjunctive mood:

• Wishes and desires: “I wish he were here for the party.”
• Suggestions and recommendations: “If I were you, I would come to the interview well-prepared.”
• Doubt and uncertainty: “If I were you, I would double-check.”
• Hypothetical situations: “If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.”

Subjunctive verb forms

One key feature of the subjunctive mood is that it often involves changes in verb forms. There are two types of subjunctive verb forms: the present subjunctive (e.g., “I suggest she go there”), and the past subjunctive (e.g., “I wish she had known”). Here are subjunctives expressing thoughts in both present and past tense:

• Present Subjunctive: “If I were in your shoes, I’d take the opportunity.”
• Past Subjunctive: “I wish she had called earlier.”

The present subjunctive is usually identical to the base form of the verb (e.g., “if”), while the past subjunctive often takes the form of the past tense but with a different meaning (e.g., “ran”).

Using subjunctive mood in everyday life

The subjunctive mood may seem daunting, but it plays a subtle yet vital role in effective communication. By using it, you can convey nuances and emotions that standard verb forms cannot. If you want to express a wish, make a suggestion, or navigate hypothetical scenarios, remember the subjunctive mood and its importance in helping your listener or audience understand precisely what you’re expressing.

And, if you’re looking to enhance your written and spoken communication, check out ways to use the passive voice, understand and avoid syntactic ambiguity, and inject liveliness into your writing with the proper use of onomatopoeia.