subjunctive
/səbˈdʒʌŋk.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /səbˈdʒʌŋk.tɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /səb-ˈjən(k)-tiv How to pronounce subjunctive (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/ (ame, ipa)
subjunctive — noun
- subjunctivesingular
- subjunctivesplural
1. the grammar form used for wishes, imagined situations, and other ideas presented
the grammar form used for wishes, imagined situations, and other ideas presented as uncertain or unreal instead of simple facts
Our teacher explained the subjunctive before we wrote the dialogue.
grammar topic: learn the subjunctive
Bilal used the subjunctive after 'if' to describe an unreal plan.
pattern: if + subjunctive for unreal situations
The guide shows when the subjunctive is common in formal English.
Christopher forgot the subjunctive and wrote 'if I was' instead.
文法句型
the subjunctive
use the subjunctive after if
learn the subjunctive in formal grammar
用法筆記
In modern English, learners most often meet the subjunctive in unreal if-clauses ('if I were') and in formal that-clauses after verbs such as demand, suggest, or insist.
常見錯誤
subjunctive — adjective
- subjunctivepositive
- more subjunctivecomparative
- most subjunctivesuperlative
1. describing or using that grammar form, especially when a verb shows a wish, a de
describing or using that grammar form, especially when a verb shows a wish, a demand, or a situation treated as not fully real
The editor changed the sentence to a subjunctive form after 'demanded that'.
pattern: demanded that + subjunctive form
Our book gives two subjunctive examples from formal letters.
Theo checked whether the verb in that clause was subjunctive or not.
The grammar chart marks subjunctive verbs in blue boxes.
文法句型
subjunctive + noun
subjunctive form after that-clause trigger
用法筆記
Usually appears before grammar nouns such as form, mood, clause, or verb. Writers most often discuss subjunctive patterns in formal grammar explanations rather than in everyday conversation.