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The subjunctive I mood

The Subjunctive I presents an action as hypothetical (problematic) but not as contradicting (contrary to) reality. It is used to express wish, necessity, demand, order, request, suggestion, purpose, concession and the like.

The Subjunctive I has only one form, which formally coincides with the infinitive without the particle “to”. It is used in affirmative and negative sentences. The negative particle “not” stands before the verb, e.g.: I insist (that) he come at once. I insist he not come.

The Subjunctive I is used both in independent sentences or clauses and subordinate clauses. In the first case it expresses:

a ) wish, e.g. Long live sovereign Ukraine. Success attend you!

b) concession, e.g. So be it. Come what will.

c) requests or orders (with the subject of an action expressed by the pronouns “somebody”, “someone”, “everybody”), e.g. Somebody (someone) fetch a piece of chalk. Everybody leave the room.

d) imprecations, oaths, e.g. The devil take him!

The Subjunctive I is also used in so-called formulaic expressions, e.g. Suffice it to say…. Otherwise it is sometimes called the formulaic subjunctive.

The use of the Subjunctive I in the sub-clauses can be presented by the following scheme:

Types of Subclauses

Examples

1. Subject clauses introduced by the anticipatory (introductory) “it” followed by:

a) a compound nominal predicate expressed by a non – emotive (neutrally coloured) adjective, such as: necessary, important, imperative, etc.

b) a predicate expressed by a verb in the passive voice

c) after the expressions “It’s high time”, “It’s about time”, “It’s time”

It is necessary (that) he stay at home. It is important (that) you be on time. It is imperative (that) I talk to him.

It was decided that this committee be set up. It is requested (required )that nobody enter the room.

It’s time we go.

2. Object clauses

a) with the meaning of demand, order, advice, insistence, proposal, etc. introduced by the conjunction “that”

b) with the meaning of fear introduced by the conjunction “lest”

I demand that John go there at once. We propose/recommend that Mr. Smith leave. The headmaster suggested that I join the drama club.

They feared lest John miss the train. She worried lest there be something wrong with her health.

3. Predicative clauses with the meaning of demand, order, advice, proposal, wish, fear, insistence, etc.

Our advice was that Henry agree to their proposal. The fear lest he disregard her request and bring unpleasant people with him almost drove her mad. Her wish was that she be told how to become young again.

4. Attributive appositive clauses.

My strident demands that the film be kept safe were naturally ignored. The girl’s insistence that they give her another chance to improve was taken into consideration.

5. Adverbial clauses of purpose introduced by the conjunction “lest”

We erected this memorial lest our children forget. Try to help him lest the failure discourage him.

6. Adverbial clauses of problematic (hypothetical) condition (very rare).

If the plant be rare, its discovery gives me joy.

7. Adverbial clauses of problematic (hypothetical) concession (very rare).

“…Our hearts must be hard, if they are not, we die, though we be alive.

The Subjunctive I is widely used in American English. In British English its use is regarded obsolete (archaic). Here it is used in high style: in slogans, proclamations, calls, also in some set (stereotyped) expressions. But lately a revival of the Subjunctive I has been observed in present – day English.

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