Chapter LII: The Subjunctive Mode

=200.= When we say, “If I were you, I should be a doctor,” we have a dependent proposition, _If I were you_, which states not a fact, but an imaginary condition. This condition is, moreover, directly contrary to fact, for I am not you, and never can be. The verb used in expressing such a condition is said to be in the =subjunctive= mode.

=201.= The subjunctive mode is found not only in dependent propositions introduced by if, but in those introduced by _lest_, _whether_, _although_, etc.

(a) Be quiet lest the baby _wake_.

(b) We cannot tell whether he _be_ the rightful heir or not.

(c) Though he _wait_ long, yet he will come at last.

In each of these sentences the subjunctive mode is used to express doubt or uncertainty, or something imagined but not actually realized.

=202.= The subjunctive mode is so named because it is found principally in dependent, or subjoined propositions. It is, however, found also in independent propositions expressing a wish; as, “Long _live_ the King!” “God _bless_ thee, dear!”

=203.= The subjunctive mode is used in the statement of something that is uncertain; as, “If he _come_ in time, dinner will be served at six.” This sentence means that his coming is to take place in the future, hence we cannot tell whether it will be a fact or not. In the sentence, “If he _comes_ in time, dinner is served at six,” we use the indicative mode because we mean that sometimes he really does come in time.

=204.= The subjunctive mode is little used, especially in conversation; but we find many instances of it in the Bible and in the works of Shakespeare, hence we should understand its meaning. Nowadays, except to express a wish, as, “Heaven _defend_ thee!” and to express a condition contrary to fact, as, “If the ring _were_ gold, it would not discolor your finger,” most persons use the indicative mode or some other verb phrase. Instead of saying, “If to-morrow _be_ fair,” most persons say, “If to-morrow _is_ fair,” or “If to-morrow _should be_ fair.” (See Lesson LXI.)

=205.= There are four tenses in the subjunctive mode, but the forms do not differ greatly from those of the indicative mode. There is no interrogative form.

=206.= Conjugation of _be_ in the subjunctive mode:—

PRESENT TENSE PAST TENSE

I be we be I were we were
you be you be thou were you were
he be they be he were they were

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE PAST PERFECT TENSE

I have been we have been I had been we had been
thou have been you have been thou had been you had been
he have been they have been he had been they had been

=207.= Conjugation of _see_ in the subjunctive mode:—

PRESENT TENSE PAST TENSE

I see we see I saw we saw
thou see you see thou saw you saw
he see they see he saw they saw

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE PAST PERFECT TENSE

I have seen we have seen I had seen we had seen
thou have seen you have seen thou had seen you had seen
he have seen they have seen he had seen they had seen

=Summary.=—The =subjunctive mode= is used in an exclamative sentence to express a wish, and in a dependent proposition to express something contrary to fact or something uncertain.

The subjunctive mode has no future tenses.

=Exercise 1.=—Conjugate all the verbs in Exercise 2, p. 126, in the subjunctive mode.

=Exercise 2.=—Select all the verbs in the subjunctive mode in these sentences, and tell why that mode is used:—

1. Misery loves company—even though it be very poor company.

2. If the weather be fine, there breaks upon the eye, as
we rise higher and higher, a succession of those views of
mountain, lake and forest, which can be had only from an
elevated position.

3. The Lord be between thee and me when we are absent one from
the other.

4. If the whole world were put into one scale and my mother
into the other, the world could not outweigh her.

5. If a boy were obliged to work at nut gathering in order to
procure food for the family, he would find it very irksome.

6.

Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days!

7. John convinces himself that he must watch the hawk lest it
pounce upon the chicken.

8. If chicadee seem preoccupied or absorbed, you may know that
he is building a nest.

9. If I were a millionaire, city life would be agreeable
enough, for I could always get away from it.

10.

And Death, whenever he come to me,
Shall come on the wide, unbounded sea.

11. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time
thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12.

Christ save us all from a death like this,
On the reef of Norman’s Woe!

13. If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.

14. God be merciful to us, and bless us, and show us the light
of his countenance.

15. If a man say that he hath no sin, he deceiveth himself, and
the truth is not in him.

16. If he had told the truth, somebody would have believed him.

17. If impressment were the law of the world, if it formed part
of the code of nations and were usually practiced, then it
might be defended as a common right.