Welcome to our lesson on the subjunctive mood! The subjunctive mood is a special verb form that we use when we're not talking about facts or reality. Instead, we use it to express wishes, suggestions, demands, and hypothetical situations. Unlike the indicative mood which states facts, the subjunctive deals with what might be, what we wish were true, or what we suggest should happen.
The subjunctive mood is commonly used after certain verbs that express wishes, demands, suggestions, or necessity. These include verbs like suggest, demand, recommend, insist, wish, ask, propose, advise, require, and request. The structure follows a specific pattern: the main verb, followed by 'that', then the subject, and finally the base form of the verb. Notice how we say 'I suggest that he BE here' not 'he IS here'. The verb 'be' remains in its base form regardless of the subject.
The subjunctive mood is also used in conditional clauses, particularly in Type 2 conditionals that express hypothetical or unreal situations. In these cases, we use the past subjunctive form 'were' for all persons, including singular subjects like 'I', 'he', 'she', and 'it'. This is different from the regular past tense where we would use 'was'. For example, we say 'If I were rich' not 'If I was rich' in formal English. This construction helps us express situations that are contrary to current reality.
Let's review the key forms of the subjunctive mood. In present subjunctive, we use the base form of the verb for all persons - be, go, have, do - regardless of the subject. In past subjunctive, we use 'were' for all persons, including singular subjects. The subjunctive also appears in certain fixed expressions and idioms like 'God save the Queen' or 'Be that as it may'. These expressions preserve traditional subjunctive forms that might sound formal or archaic in modern English, but they're still commonly used in specific contexts.
Let's summarize what we've learned about the subjunctive mood. Remember to use the base form of verbs after suggestion verbs like 'recommend' and 'suggest'. Use 'were' for all persons in hypothetical conditions. The subjunctive expresses non-factual situations and is commonly found in formal writing and fixed expressions. Practice identifying and using the subjunctive mood in different contexts to master this important aspect of English grammar. With practice, you'll become confident in using the subjunctive mood correctly in both spoken and written English.