Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help
Related Searches
Nearby Words

subjunctive

 - 4 dictionary results
Subjunctive at Amazon
Low Prices on Subjunctive Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books

sub⋅junc⋅tive

  [suhb-juhngk-tiv] Grammar
Use subjunctive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. (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
2. the subjunctive mood or mode.
3. a verb in the subjunctive mood or form.
Origin:
1520–30; < LL subjunctīvus, equiv. to subjunct(us) (ptp. of subjungere to subjoin, equiv. to sub- sub- + jung(ere) to join + -tus ptp. suffix) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
sub⋅junc⋅tive⋅ly, adverb

Usage note:
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To subjunctive
Subjunctive at Amazon
Low Prices on Subjunctive Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books
sub·junc·tive   (səb-jŭngk'tĭv)   
adj.  Of, relating to, or being a mood of a verb used in some languages for contingent or hypothetical action, action viewed subjectively, or grammatically subordinate statements.
n.  

  1. The subjunctive mood.

  2. A subjunctive construction. See Usage Note at if.


[Late Latin subiūnctīvus, from Latin subiūnctus, past participle of subiungere, to subjoin, subordinate (translation of Greek hupotaktikos, subordinate, subjunctive); see subjoin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

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.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

subjunctive 
1530, "mood employed to denote an action or state as conceived and not as a fact," from L.L. subjunctivus "serving to join, connecting," from pp. stem of subjungere "to append, add at the end, place under," from sub "under" + jungere "to join" (see jugular). The L. modus subjunctivus probably is a grammarians' loan-translation of Gk. hypotaktike enklisis "subordinated," so called because the Gk. subjunctive mood is used almost exclusively in subordinate clauses.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see subjunctive on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way