subjunctive

[ suhb-juhngk-tiv ]

adjective

(in English and certain other languages) noting or pertaining to a mood or mode of the verb that may be used for subjective, doubtful, hypothetical, or grammatically subordinate statements or questions, as the mood of be in if this be treason.: Compare imperative (def. 3), indicative (def. 2).

noun

the subjunctive mood or mode.
a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.

Origin of subjunctive

1520–30; <Late Latin subjunctīvus, equivalent to subjunct(us) (past participle of subjungere to subjoin, equivalent to sub-sub- + jung(ere) to join + -tus past participle suffix) + -īvus-ive

Grammar notes for subjunctive

The subjunctive mood of the verb, once used extensively in English, has largely disappeared today. The subjunctive survives, though by no means consistently, in sentences with conditional clauses contrary to fact and in subordinate clauses after verbs like wish: If the house were nearer to the road, we would hear more traffic noise. I wish I were in Florida. The subjunctive also occurs in subordinate that clauses after a main clause expressing recommendation, resolution, demand, etc.: We ask that each tenant take (not takes ) responsibility for keeping the front door locked. It is important that only fresh spinach be (not is ) used. The subjunctive occurs too in some established or idiomatic expressions: So be it. Heaven help us. God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Were in the phrase as it were, meaning “in a way,” is a subjunctive: His apology, as it were, sounded more like an insult.

Other words from subjunctive

sub·junc·tive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby subjunctive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use subjunctive in a sentence

Yeah, yeah, Chris said; or something like that—not buying my equivocation and pressing on with the subjunctive.
Would My Father Have Voted for Obama? | Christopher Buckley | May 12, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Gossip in all its moods and tenses, from the vague indicative of mere innuendo, to the full subjunctive of open defamation!
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. II (of II) | Charles James Lever
The subjunctive is made by prefixing the word kishpin, meaning if.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820 | Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
For the imperative we use the subjunctive without conjunction and generally without subject.
Esperanto: Hearings before the Committee on Education | Richard Bartholdt and A. Christen
The subjunctive, having but one form, in a sentence where there are two verbs is used as the second verb.
History of the Negro Race in America From 1619 to 1880. Vol 1 | George W. Williams

In the first and third (sometimes even in the second) it is replaced by the subjunctive.
The Mafulu | Robert W. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for subjunctive

subjunctive

/ (səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv) /

adjective

grammar denoting a mood of verbs used when the content of the clause is being doubted, supposed, feared true, etc, rather than being asserted. The rules for its use and the range of meanings it may possess vary considerably from language to language. In the following sentence, were is in the subjunctive: I'd think very seriously about that if I were you Compare indicative

noun

grammar
- the subjunctive mood
- a verb in this mood

Origin of subjunctive

C16: via Late Latin subjunctīvus, from Latin subjungere to subjoin

Abbreviation: subj

Derived forms of subjunctive

subjunctively, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for subjunctive

subjunctive

A grammatical form of verbs implying hypothetical action or condition. Subjunctives are italicized in these sentences: “If Mr. Stafford were [not “was”] fluent in French, he could communicate with his employees more effectively”; “If Sheila had been here, she would have helped us with our math.”

Browse