In Old English class last winter, the teacher introduced the subjunctive mood by saying, “We don’t have it in modern English, but …” Well, I still use the subjunctive. I’ve noticed that the BBC doesn’t use it much any more, but here in the States it’s not gone. Since then, I’ve been keeping track. Here are subjunctives I’ve collected in six months:

  • that an Internet image search for “subjunctive” is deeply disappointing?

    I wouldn’t do that if I were you

  • Be that as it may
  • God save the Queen
  • Let there be light
  • The powers that be
  • Let the chips fall where they may
  • Whisper words of wisdom, let it be…
Musical Interlude

Defying the BBC ban, this song by Eric Clapton points out that the subjunctive in modern English can be indicated by word order, too. I like the way we’ve adopted a good old-English modal-infinitive structure to convey a Continental verb mood, using “let” or “may” to change the mood to subjunctive.

Poetry Corner

A double dactyl by George Starbuck where the subjunctive forms the rhyme:

SAID
Dame Edith Evans to
Margaret Rutherford,
“Seance? Oh really, my
Dear, if there be
Nonhypothetical
Extraterrestrial
Parapsychologists,
THEY can call ME.”