On the Subjunctive

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Slava
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On the Subjunctive

Postby Slava » Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:56 pm

http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero ... -grammar-0

Here's a nice piece on how to use the subjunctive, with an example of how mis-using it makes a serious change to the meaning of what is said.
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Philip Hudson
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Re: On the Subjunctive

Postby Philip Hudson » Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:05 am

Were I to venture an opinion ....
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Perry Lassiter
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Re: On the Subjunctive

Postby Perry Lassiter » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:51 am

They author does not consider what I find to be the most common use of the subjunctive mood. "If I were to be interrupted in the next hour, I might become very angry."
Expressions that are either wishes or possibilities for the future often employ "if" and "were."

The conjunction "that" can often be dropped to make for more tight writing. Whether to include "that" is decided by clarity and the sound in the sentence.
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