Subjunctive

usgb/səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/
noun

A verb form often used to express desires, unreal situations, or doubts.

In the phrase 'if I were a millionaire', 'were' is in the subjunctive.
Visual representation of "subjunctive" - A verb form often used to express desires, unreal situations, or doubts.

Often appears as...

  • subjunctive mood
  • present subjunctive

Usage tips

Academic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "subjunctive"
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Language Precision

Use the subjunctive to be precise about hypotheticals, desires, or doubts, not for facts.

Illustration for Language Precision
It's crucial that he arrive on time.
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Cultural Nuance

Subjunctive is less common in everyday English but often appears in formal writing.

Illustration for Cultural Nuance
She proposed that the club be disbanded.
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Expressing Wishes

The subjunctive conveys wishes or hypotheticals contrary to reality.

Illustration for Expressing Wishes
I wish that I were taller.
Word comparison image

Compare with

conditionalcontingentdependenthypotheticalnotionalpresumptivespeculatetentative
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Visual representation of the word "Subjunctive"

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