Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
subliminal
subliminal advertising
sublingual
subliterature
sublittoral
sublunary
subluxation
submachine gun
submandibular
submarginal
submarine
submarine chaser
submaxillary
submediant
submerge
submerged tenth
submerse
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

subjunctive

sub·junc·tive [ səb júngktiv ]


noun  (plural sub·junc·tives)
Definition:
 
1. grammatical mood: a grammatical mood that expresses doubts, wishes, and possibilities

2. subjunctive verb: a verb or form in the subjunctive



adjective 
Definition:
 
relating to subjunctive: in or relating to the subjunctive

[Mid-16th century. < late Latin subjunctivus< past participle of Latin subjungere "subordinate" < jungere "to join"]

sub·junc·tive·ly adverb

Word Usage

The subjunctive mood in English is distinguishable from the regular form of verbs (called the indicative mood) only in the third person present singular, which omits the final -s (as in make rather than makes), and in the forms be and were of the verb to be. A typical use of the subjunctive is in clauses introduced by that expressing a wish or suggestion: I suggested that she drop by for a drink before the concert.They demanded that he answer their questions. The form were is used in clauses introduced by if, as if, as though, or supposing, as in: If you were to go, you might regret it.It's not as though he were an expert.Suppose I were to meet you outside the theater. The subjunctive also occurs in fixed expressions such as as it were, be that as it may, come what may, and far be it from me.

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft