Marina Miloevi, 2011

Subjunctiv

Subjonctiv is used to talk about unreal situations: things which are possible, desirable
or imaginary.

Present Subjunctive (formal style)

We use Present Subjunctive:
1. in that-clauses after report verbs, adjectives or nouns to express plans, urgency, intentions
or suggestions:
The police insisted (that) the car (should) be moved.
Words often followed by a Present Subjunctive are:
Verbs:
SUGGEST, PROPOSE, RECOMMEND, INSIST, DEMAND,
REQUIRE, REQUEST, ORDER, COMMAND, ASK, THINK
Adjectives:
ADVISABLE, ESSENTIAL, DESIRABLE, PREFERABLE
Nouns:
DECISION, INSISTENCE, DEMAND, REQUIREMENT,
CONDITION
Phrases:
IT IS IMPORTANT, IT IS ESSENTIAL, IT IS VITAL, IT IS
DESIRABLE, IT IS CRUCIAL, IT IS NECESSARY.
After these verbs and phrases the verb is in bare infinitive or in should + infinitive.
I suggest she go and see her father.
I suggest she should go and see he father.
They demanded that he leave at once
Should is less formal: They demand that he should leave.
2. after if: if he (should) be found / is found guilty, he will be jailed for ten years.
3. after whether: Whether she (should) agree / agrees or not, we are going to sell the house.
4. after whatever: Whatever his reasons be / are, they are insufficient to excuse him.

Formulatic Subjunctives fixed expressions:

God save the Queen!
Be that as it may!
God bless you!
If need be!
Far be it from me
Suffice it to say
So be it!
Come what may!
Long live the King!
God forbid!
Heaven forbid!

Marina Miloevi, 2011

Past Subjunctive

Used for hypothetical present situations.

Used after phrases such as: IT IS (HIGH) TIME, AS IF, AS THOUGH, IF ONLY,
WOULD RATHER, WOULD SOONER, WOULD PREFER, WISH.
These expressions are followed by past simple or past continuous.
It is high time you left.
If only I had a lot of money.
He speaks English as if he were in England.
I would rather you told me the truth.
I would rather you didnt smoke in here.
I would prefer if you didnt go.
I wish I didnt have to do my homework.
Its time we left.
Its high time I was leaving.
I wish you werent leaving.
I wish I was going on holiday with you next week.
You look as if you were having second thoughts.
He acts as if he were in charge.
Would is used when the speaker wants sth or sb else to change:
I wish he would change his mind and marry Jane.
I wish it would stop raining.
Wishes about simple future events are expressed with hope.
I hope it doesnt (wont) rain tomorrow.
I hope you (ll) have a lovely time in Portugal.

Past Perfect Subjunctive

Used for hypothetical past situations that cannot be changed.

After the same phrases as in past subjunctive only that after them past perfect is used:
I wish I hadnt eaten so much.
I wish I had been rich when I was young.
I look as if an express train had hit me.
You look as if you had just seen a ghost.
Suppose and imagine understood conditions
Imagine we won the polls!
Suppose someone told you that I was a spy.
Imagine we have never met.