By Clauses, Subjunctives

Re: "I would be surprised..."

I was concentrating on the choice between were and was (subjunctive vs. indicative), and I neglected to address the choice between was/were and is (past vs. present). You're referring to the use of past throughout once the main clause introduces the past tense. Hmmm. Defend it? That's...

Re: suggest+noun clause in the simple present tense?

The subjunctive mood forms: should selland sellare the formal ones. Sells is informal.

Re: suggest+noun clause in the simple present tense?

I'm not familiar with the site; but the writer may well be of BrE origin. (In BrE, you could use "sells", "should sell", or the subjunctive "sell". The last option has become more popular in the last two decades, in BrE, in contexts where "should sell"...

Re: were late / would be late

Oh my, I'm so surprised! I would never have thought you said it yourself! By the way, you said "If I'd have known", and not "If I'd known" (which can't mean "If I would have known", because you would be leaving out a syllable...).Anyway, I'll tell...

Re: Had he lived

Hello Rotter,I would call the verb in the if-clause of your second sentence ("If he were...") subjunctive too. It would probably be more usual to say "he would be.." in the main clause.Best wishes,MrP

Re: open conditional

Thank you, Mr M. I have seen the kind of structure like the one below with the 'did' or 'did not' in the 'if' clause as an example of the second conditional? Can it be the subjunctive too -- that is, a counterfactual or hypothetical? I think the subjunctive is the one...

Re: had have had

Anon, Ok, I see you are a brave soul, making such a bold statement hiding behind an empty entity “Anonymous” calling people “ignorant”. Well, I tell you what, I think I have a couple of shots left in the barrel and I’d like you to have it. First, I am not sure what credential you have giving...

Re: case of subjunctive in the 'if' clause?

It's not subjunctive. It's the modal use of need. Modal need can occur in non-assertive contexts. Modals never take the s in the first person singular of the present tense the way non-modal verbs do. In that way they resemble subjunctive forms, which are also missing the s. The...

Re: case of subjunctive in the 'if' clause?

Because your sentence isn't, plainly speaking, appropriate. but if need be: but in case the need should/would arise, or but in case there should be a need for, or (less good) in case it happens that the need exists/is created for

case of subjunctive in the 'if' clause?

Hi, I think the subjunctive always plays out in the main clause, but I found what looks to be a subjunctive in the 'if' clause. What is that? .. the plane offers a superior value proposition, not only as the ultimate trainer, but if need be, a quality attack plane in case of ***. Why...