3.7.1

Subjunctive Verbs

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Subjunctive Verbs

We use the subjunctive to express an imagined, wished or doubtful state.

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Imagined states

  • ‘If I win the race, I’ll be rich.’
    • The race hasn’t happened yet.
    • There is only a possibility that the person will win the race.
    • Winning the race is an imagined state of being.
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State of hope

  • ‘I hope we win the race.’
    • The person hasn't won the race.
    • The person hopes to win the race.
    • Somone hoping to win the race is a wished state of being.
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State of doubt

  • ‘I doubt they’ll win.’
    • The person is unsure they will win the race.
    • The sentence signifies doubt.

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