[Grammar] Subjunctive verbs

[Lilyoftheorient]

Hi all,


I understand that the subjunctive verb which comes after “that” clause is timeless and never change forms or tenses. Would an English teacher or an English expert please help confirm or correct my grammar. Underlined verbs are subjunctive verbs.


1. Her mother suggests that she take an umbrella with her just in case it rain.


2. The teacher demands that everyone be in his seat when the bell ring.


3. If only Scarlet realizes how much Rhett love her.

Thank you,

Lily

 

[tedmc]

I think the second verb in 1 and 2 and the verb in 3 are not in the subjunctive.

 

[GoesStation]

Many speakers of BrE would not use a subjunctive form in those sentences. The indicative form would change tense:
1i. Her mother suggests that she takes an umbrella ...

2i. The teacher demands that everyone is in his seat ...

1a. Her mother suggested that she took an umbrella with her ...

1bi. The teacher demanded that everyone was in his seat ...

These are excellent examples of the British/American divide. They all still take the subjunctive in American English; I think very few Americans would use the indicative.

 

[Alexey86]

Many speakers of BrE would not use a subjunctive form in those sentences.

It's interesting. Wouldn't the subjunctive and indicative forms provide different meanings to speakers of BrE? In most cases "suggest" is similar to "propose/offer", but it can also mean "suppose/guess":

Her mother suggests (= proposes) that she take an umbrella ...

Her mother suggests (= supposes) that she takes an umbrella ...

The same is true for "insist":

Her mother insists (= demands) that she take an umbrella ...

Her mother insists (= is trying to convince someone) that she takes an umbrella ...

 

[GoesStation]

It's interesting. Wouldn't the subjunctive and indicative forms provide different meanings to speakers of BrE? In most cases "suggest" is similar to "propose/offer", but it can also mean "suppose/guess":

Her mother suggests (= proposes) that she take an umbrella ...

Her mother suggests (= supposes) that she takes an umbrella ...

The same is true for "insist":

Her mother insists (= demands) that she take an umbrella ...

Her mother insists (= is trying to convince someone) that she takes an umbrella ...

Many British English speakers don't perceive the difference. These examples don't illustrate it very well because the indicative-mood sentences don't make sense, but there are plenty of cases where Americans would perceive a distinction like the one you discuss above.

 

[Alexey86]

the indicative-mood sentences don't make sense

The verb "insist" has two quite distinct meanings. So, I see nothing wrong with my example. But my interpretation of the indicative "suggest" is flawed, so I'll take the definition and a couple of examples from The Longman Dictionary:

- to make someone think that a particular thing is true SYN indicate

a) Opinion polls suggest that only 10% of the population trust the government.

b) The evidence suggests that single fathers are more likely to work than single mothers.

The subjunctive mood is impossible here.

 

[GoesStation]

- to make someone think that a particular thing is true SYN indicate

a) Opinion polls suggest that only 10% of the population trust the government.

b) The evidence suggests that single fathers are more likely to work than single mothers.

The subjunctive mood is impossible here.

You're right.