First Grammar Lessons: Part III, Lesson IV

Lesson IV

Indicative moods have another form.

You may declare a thing with a doubt—If he try he will succeed. This form always has ‘if’ or ‘though’ or some other doubting word before the subject. For this reason it is called the subjunctive form. ‘Subjunctive’ means ‘doubtful.’

To be learnt.

The subjunctive form has “if” before it.

When the verb declares with a doubt it is in the subjunctive form.

Exercise IV

1. Underline the verbs in the subjunctive form in the following sentences:

He will be in time if he run.
If it be fine we will have a picnic.
If it should rain the sports will be postponed.
If he work he may win.

2. Make six sentences using a subjunctive.

3. Put the following sentences into the subjunctive:

It is fine, so let us go and gather flowers.
The wind blows the boats out of their course.
The children came when it was late.