Lecture on the Subjunctive Mood

Introduction

• Topic: Subjunctive Mood in English
• Structure: Divided into six simple steps
• Speaker: Arnel
• Purpose: Advanced grammar topic explained step by step

Part 1: Verb Forms

• In the subjunctive, verb forms change.
• Example verbs: "eat" and "do"
  • Normally: I eat, You eat, He/She/It eats
  • Subjunctive: He eat, She eat, It do
• Only one verb form for all subjects in the subjunctive.

Part 2: Verbs

• Certain verbs are often followed by the subjunctive mood.
• Common Verbs: recommend, suggest, command, insist
• Structure: Verb/that/subject/subjunctive/verb
  • Example: "The doctor suggested that Rebecca take iron tablets."
• Subjunctive is mainly used in formal written English (e.g., emails, articles).
• Examples of sentence structure:
  • "Kevin's boss insisted that he take time off work."
  • "The company is insisting that it stay open."

Rapid Fire Examples

1. Thomas will ask that Jim be his best man.
2. Mr Samuel leave his position voluntarily.
3. President grant safe passage.
4. Soldiers be ready for battle.
5. New intern start in the sales department.
6. Roses be painted red (Alice in Wonderland reference).

Part 3: Adjectives

• Adjectives can also be followed by the subjunctive.
• Examples: important, essential, desirable
• Structure: Adjective/that/subject/subjunctive/verb
  • Example: "It's highly important that our plan remain secret."
• Native speakers might not always use the subjunctive.

Part 4: The Second Conditional

• Focus on second conditional as it relates to the subjunctive.
• Structure: If + past simple, would/could/might + base verb
  • Example: "If I had more time, I would read more."
• Past simple is used for present or future hypothetical situations.
• Examples:
  • "If I were British, I would have a British accent."
  • "If my dog weren't afraid of water, we could go swimming."

Part 5: Wish

• Wish as a verb also follows subjunctive rules.
• Structure: Wish + past simple (for present or future)
  • Example: "I wish I had more money."
• Can be used in past form: "He wished he could move as sure as a shadow cat."
• Informal Use: "I wish stop" indicates wishing something were true.
  • Example: "You're the professor's favorite student, I wish."

Questions for Thought

1. If a genie granted you three wishes, what would they be?
2. What's something you wish you had now?
3. What's something you wish you were?

Part 6: Set Phrases

• Common set phrase: "God bless you"
• Example Phrases:
  • "If truth be told" (means "to be honest")
  • "Be that as it may" (means "I can accept a is true, but...")

Example from Literature

• Book: A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
• Phrase: "Be that as it may"

Conclusion

• Test: 10 sentences to test understanding
• Feedback: Encourage sharing scores in comments
• Next Steps: Look forward to more lessons.