subjunctive
noun/səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/
/səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv/
(grammar)- the form (or mood) of a verb that expresses wishes, possibility or uncertainty; a verb in this form
- The verb is in the subjunctive.
- In ‘I wish I were taller’, ‘were’ is a subjunctive.
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from French subjonctif, -ive or late Latin subjunctivus, from subjungere (from sub- ‘in addition’ + jungere ‘to join’), rendering Greek hupotaktikos ‘subjoined’ (add comments at the end of a speech or text).Want to learn more?
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subjunctive