INDICATIVE Thou learnest He learns
SUBJUNCTIVE Thou learn He learn
The subjunctive idea is sometimes expressed by verb phrases, containing
the auxiliary verbs _may (might), would_, or _should_. _May, would_, and
_should_ are not, however, always subjunctive. In "I _may_ go" (may = am
allowed to), _may_ is indicative. In "you _should_ go" (= ought to),
_should_ is indicative.
The subjunctive mode is used most frequently to express:--
1. A wish: [The Lord be with you].
2. A condition regarded as doubtful: [If it be true, what shall we
think?], or a condition regarded as untrue: [If I were you, I should go].
When condition is expressed by the subjunctive without _if_, the verb
precedes the subject: [Were my brother here, he could go with me].
3. A purpose: [He studies that he may learn].
4. Exhortations: [Sing we the song of freedom].
5. A concession,--supposed, not given as a fact: [Though he be my enemy, I
shall pity him].
6. A possibility: [We fear lest he be too late].
The tenses of the subjunctive require especial notice. In conditional
clauses, the _present_ refers either to present or future time: [Though
the earth be removed, we shall not fear].
The _preterite_ refers to present time. It implies that the supposed case
is not a fact: [If he were here, I should be much pleased].
The _pluperfect_ subjunctive expresses a false supposition in past time:
[If you had been here, this would not have happened].
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