Practice Makes Perfect

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctiveis used in some limited but important ways. It is

used to express a demand, suggestion, or request (I suggest you be

on time.); to express a wish (If only Jim werehere.); or to set a condi-

tion for a future action (We would leaveif the storm would let up.). To

understand these uses, you need to examine the subjunctive conju-

gations.

The present tense subjunctive is formed from the infinitive of a

verb minus the particle word to. Notice that each pronoun requires

the identical verb form:

Pronoun to be to go to have to work

I be go have work

you be go have work

he, she, it be go have work

we be go have work

they be go have work

The past tense subjunctive is formed from the plural past tense of

either a regular or an irregular verb. Notice again that each pro-

noun requires the identical verb form:

Pronoun to be to go to have to work

I were went had worked

you were went had worked

he, she, it were went had worked

we were went had worked

they were went had worked

A third subjunctive conjugation is formed with the word would

together with an infinitive, or would haveplus a past participle. Look

at these examples:

Indicative Sentences Subjunctive Sentences

He is here. He would be here.

She buys a book. She would buy a book.

We have spoken. We would have spoken.

I have played. I would have played.

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Unit 8

03 (044-061) Units 6-9 11/3/04 1:41 PM Page 53

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