UNIT 6: SUBJUNCTIVES
D. Types of Subjunctive
1. Mandative subjunctive
Mandative subjunctive as the name implies is a type of subjunctive used with that clauses that express demand, request, requirement, recommendation and suggestion.
This is the most commonly used type of subjunctive.
Usually, a mandative clause is used along with ‘that’
although not always. The use of mandative subjunctive is often marked with the use of mandative items such as verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Look at the following structure of the subjunctive and the list of typical verbs, adjectives, and nouns that come before subjunctives.
Subjunctive verbs
+ that + subject + Bare infinitive Subjunctive
adjectives
82 Subjunctive
nouns Examples:
It is essential that everyone keep the congregative prayers five times a day.
The parliament demanded that the law for halal tourism be promulgated very soon.
It is a proposal that the local organizations be assisted during the catastrophe.
Verbs advise
ask demand insist propose recommend beg command instruct intend order prefer request require
83 stipulate
urge warn suggest desire propose
Adjectives advisable
anxious desirable eager essential important appaling appropriate (in)conceivable crucial imperative obligatory (un) necessary urgent vital
84 Nouns decision
insistence demand requirement condition desire
recommendation proposal
suggestion request
It is important, however, to pay careful attention as clauses with mandative items do not always indicate mandative sense, yet the indicative ones (the indication of real things or facts). Examine the following comparison.
He insisted that she be present in the meeting (He wanted her to be there in the meeting)
He insisted that she was present in the meeting (he knows that she was there and emphasizes that) 2. Adversative Subjunctive
Subjunctive in adversative clause expresses a situation or an event opposite to that in the main clause.
Subjunctive in this respect is usually marked with the use of lest or fear for (that). Note that the word lest is used in classic literature and has more common usage in American English. Both lest and fear for have similar meaning to in case and are followed with something that should be avoided therefore indicates something preventive. In British
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English, lest tends to be accompanied with should as found in mandative subjunctives.
Lest you be confused, I will give you a more simple direction.
She must repent very soon for fear that she cross the line.
3. Conditional subjunctive
The use of subjunctive in conditional clause is scanty and is likely associated with the use of ‘be’ instead of lexical verbs. Conditional clauses with subjunctives are usually introduced by connectors such as if, in case, provided (that), providing (that), on condition (that), and unless.
Every Muslim is obliged to perform Hajj and if it be too unaffordable for them, it may be exempted for some.
Allah forgives any sin on condition that it not be shirk.
4. Purposives
The subjunctive of purposive clause is marked with the use of so that and in order that. However, this kind of subjunctive is less common.
Prohibitions in Islam are strict so that nobody be a transgressor.
In order that a young male remain intact from adultery during puberty, he should do fasting.
5. Exhaustive Conditional sentences
Exhaustive conditional sentence is a type of conditional sentence that can cover every possibility. For this type of clause, the subjunctive is restricted to the use of ‘be’ with the meaning of ‘whether’ and -ever words.
All Muslims have to remember Allah at all places and occasions, be it at work, home, or outdoors.
86 6. Formulaic subjunctives
Unlike the previous types of subjunctive which occur in subordinate clauses, formulaic subjunctive is part of the main clause. It is also independent and has fixed expressions.
So be it
God bless you
Long live
Be that as it may
Peace be upon him B. PAST SUBJUNCTIVE
Past subjunctive usually describes state, condition or habit which are hypothetical or imaginary. The past subjunctive has the same structure as simple past except for the past verb of ‘be’. For all subjects, the past form of
‘be’ is ‘were’ even though informally ‘was’ is still possible.
Past subjunctive entails at least five situations, namely:
1. Conditional type II
If I were you, I would apply for the scholarship.
If it were not cancelled, I would join the tournament.
Were the government able to provide employment for the unemployed, the crime rates would decrease.
2. Complement to wish or if only
I wish I were able to help you at that time.
I wish I could speak Arabic
If only I had a better TOEFL score 3. After would rather, sooner, as soon.
I would rather you kept my secret
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4. After As if/as though/suppose/imagine
Suppose you were rich. What would you do?
She acts as if she were the owner of the school.
5. After it be (high/about) time
It is time we started a new program
It’s about time you finished your study.
This subjunctive tells about counterfactual sense and it tells about something that is not happening but should be happening. Normally, it is used to express something that should be done but it is a bit late.
E. SUGGESTIONS
1. The use of negative subjunctives is pretty rare even in formal English, thus instead of using the negative one, use the direct antonym.
It is essential that we not come late.*
It is essential that we come on time.
2. In British English, the use of subjunctive is less common.
Consequently, when asked to write in BrE, you should use the modal verb ‘should’ in place of subjunctive. In British, people also prefer to use other forms instead of the subjunctives such as for and to infinitive, as well as simple present.
It is recommended that he should submit his paper on time.
It is recommended that he submits his paper on time.
It is recommended for him to submit his paper on time.
She asked that we visit students’ homes at the weekend.
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She asked that we should visit students’ homes at the weekend.
3. In informal English, it is possible to drop ‘that’ in the subjunctive. However, the tense and subject-verb agreement will turn out to be normal.
It was important that she apply for the position.
It was very important she applied for the postion.
4. When the situation is probable or real, present tense can be used after ‘look as if/as though’
They look as if they plan to go on vacation