Ed,

 

In terms of subjunctives as an issue in prescriptive grammar, there's a
history of conflicting views, I think. Part of the movement to make
English work more like Latin resulted in some grammarians wanting the
subjunctive to be used where Latin would use one, while the actual
production of speakers went on its merry way undeterred.

 

My understanding of the current rules (and I suspect there's still
disagreement on this) is that the subjunctive is used in
contrary-to-fact conditionals, whether they start with an if or a
fronted auxiliary. Non-contrafactual conditionals use the indicative,
even if they begin with if ("I think I know what happened to the pizza.
If my roommate was here last night - and I think he was, because his
laundry is on the floor - he probably ate it."). The term 'subjunctive'
is also used for the infinitive-ish forms after verbs like suggest ("I
suggest she be promoted"), but I never see that kind causing any issues.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bill Spruiell

 

From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Edward Vavra
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 3:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Subjunctives - help wanted

 

In KISS grammar, I have to deal with subjunctives, primarily because
some (not all) teachers will mark a sentence such as "If he were here,
I'd ask him" as containing a subject/verb agreement error. From my
perspective, students do not need to learn the concept before seventh
grade. (See KISS Level 2.1.7 at
http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/kiss/wb/LPlans/Overview.html#Grade-Level_Tab
le)

     But having introduced subjunctives, I'm not sure of how I want to
handle them. The nature of subjunctives becomes very complex. I've seen
some grammars that consider "If" causes as subjunctives. How many
members of this list would agree?

 

Can I assume that "had" constructions, such as "He we but world enough
and time" are also subjunctives.

 

My basic understanding was that subjunctives indicate something contrary
to fact, but "if" clauses may or may not be so contrary. As I now see
it, the confusion may result from differences in the three basic
assumptions about definitions--meaning, form, and function.

 

Comments will be appreciated.

Ed

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