On the Subjunctive
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:56 pm
by Slava
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.
Re: On the Subjunctive
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 12:05 am
by Philip Hudson
Were I to venture an opinion ....
Re: On the Subjunctive
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:51 am
by Perry Lassiter
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.