A mood shows the writer's attitude toward what he or she is
saying. "Subjunctive mood" expresses a doubtful condition (contrary
to fact) and is sometimes used with the "if" clause. It can express
wishes, doubts, suggestions, conditions, possibilities, etc. A verb in the
subjunctive mood may have a different form.
Subjunctive Mood - Common verbs
The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood: ask, doubt, recommend,
suggest, wish, insist, order, commend, request, and demand.
· I suggest that you hire a lawyer.
· I doubt we will see her at the party.
Subjunctive Mood - Verb form using "Were"
Also in subjunctive mood sentences, the "be" verb in past tense
"were" is used instead of "was" even with "I",
"he", "she", or "it". It is grammatically incorrect
to use "was" in these sentences
Incorrect: If I was you, I would take any offer.
Correct: If I were you, I would take any offer.
Incorrect: I wish I was able to speak English fluently.
Correct: I wish I were able to speak English
fluently.
Subjunctive Mood - Other verb forms
The subjunctive for the present tense third-person singular drops the
"-s" or "-es" so that it looks and sounds like the present
tense for everything else.
Incorrect: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team does the
survey.
Correct: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team do the
survey.
Incorrect: She recommended that each student takes a note.
Correct: She recommended that each student take a
note.
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