How do you conjugate the subjunctive?

Question

This is not for homework. I rarely use the subjunctive and I've been out of school a long time. Since I preach weekly, it would be a good idea if I used the language properly. I need to know the proper use of the subjunctive in past, present, and future tenses. Ironically, I can do this in Greek, but not English! :-)

Answer 1

The subjunctive is not used as much as it once was, and English has lost a bit because of it.

It's really simple to conjugate.

Present Tense of "to be" uses "be" for all persons and numbers. It's I be, you be, he be, we be... All others are the same. You use the root of the infinitive: I go, you go, he go...Essentially, just drop the "s" from third person singular.

Past Tense of "to be" uses "were" for all persons and numbers - just like Present Tense uses "be". Other verbs use the indicative Past forms.

There really is no distinct Future Tense in English as there is in many other languages. To form the Future, you use the construction "If I were" + infinitive - "If I were to go..." Alternatively, you could use "should" and the root of the infinitive - "If I should go..."

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

you do it in Greek?? That is interesting, since in Greek there is not real subjunctive :P:P
Actually, in English neither is there a real subjunctive conjugation. The verb "to be" has a subjunctive mood (I be, you be, it be / I were -you were -he were,etc). The subjunctive mood is used in the following cases:
1) Hypothetical tenses:
If I were rich, I would travel a lot
2) Wishes
I wish you were here
Far be it from me
3) Suggestions:
I want you to go to the bank
4) Old fashioned subjunctive with lest:
She turned away from the window lest anyone see them
He paused, afraid lest he say too much

I hope it helps. Generally, bear in mind that there is not subjunctive in English (I want you to go) neither in Greek (Θέλω να πας) the same way it is, i.e. in Spanish (Quiero que vayas). In Spanish and other latin-based llanguages you conjugate the verb in the subjunctive mode without the need of any subjunctive words - prepositions (TO go, ΝΑ πας, etc)

Answer 3

Here it is with English using the root "to be"
Present tense: I am "I am there now, so I will try again."
Present subjunctive: I be "Should I be there now, I would try again."
Past tense: I was "I was there, so I tried again."
Past subjunctive: I were "If I there, I would have tried again."

Future tense: I will be "I will be there tomorrow, so I will try again."
Future subjunctive I be "Should I be there tomorrow, I will try again."

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

hard issue. look with google or bing. it could help!