Writing Better English for ESL Learners

17. Someone to be punished for this mess. (to go)


18. The old clock was needlessly. (to break)


19. Will my car repaired by tomorrow? (to be)


20. Nothing has done to solve the problem. (to be)

The Subjunctive Mode

The subjunctive mode has a limited use in English. But to write well, you should
have an understanding of it.
The present subjunctive is used when you give a recommendation,sugges-
tion, or command. Let’s look at some examples:

Tom suggested the boys beon time tomorrow. (not are)

The king commanded that the army goto the front immediately. (not goes)

We suggest Maria havea good night’s sleep. (not has)

I recommend she visitthe doctor as soon as possible. (not visits)

Present subjunctive conjugations are quite simple. The present subjunctive
is formed from the infinitive and has no endings. Compare the present sub-
junctive ofto be,to have, and to gowith the present indicative (the form of the
verb you already know).

INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE

I am be have have go go

you are be have have go go

he is be has have goes go

we are be have have go go

they are be have have go go

Use the past subjunctive conjugation when you want to express a wish. The
phrase often begins with if:

If only Juan werehere.

If I just hadanother twenty dollars.

Preparing to Write 31