The subjunctive mode expresses doubt, wish, condition, or supposition.

If is the sign of the subjunctive mode, though frequently though, except, lest, unless, or words of that nature are used. If I were rich, I would give more.

Would you could go!

May you be happy!

I will stay if you wish it.

Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

If is used with the indicative mode when there is no doubt expressed, as If the sun rises, I will be there, meaning that as sure as the sun rises, etc. Here, instead of doubt, a certainty is expressed. If we say If the train arrive on time, I will be there, a doubt is expressed, and the subjunctive mode is used. Note that in the indicative form the third person singular number of the present tense ends in s, as he loves, she writes, it grows. In the subjunctive form the 8 is omitted.

INDICATIVE MODE

He loves

She writes

It grows
He eats

She speaks

It blooms

SUBJUNCTIVE MODE

If he love
If she write

If it grow
If he eat

If she speak

If it bloom

Also observe carefully the following changes in the

form of the verb to be.

INDICATIVE MODE

I am
He is

We are
You are
They are

I was
He was

SUBJUNCTIVE MODE

If I be

If he be
If we be

If you
be
If they be

If I were

If he were

The condition, expressed in the ordinary English sentences, grammatically demands a subjunctive form, but custom has established the use of the indicative form in such sentences as the following, where the condition is strongly probable. For example: "If we are seen together (and we probably will be), there will be trouble." 1. If he is at home, leave the note.

2. If anybody calls, let me know.
3. If I am invited, I shall go.

4. If he is there, I shall not stay.

5. If they are going, I am not.

6. If she is at the store, pay her this bill.
7. If we are going, let us go.

8. If you are going with me, come on.

Exercise 1. In the following sentences name the verbs, and tell whether they have the indicative or the subjunctive form:

1. If you be quiet, I shall tell you.

2. I shall not go unless you go with me.

3. I shall drown unless you help me.

4. If I go now, I will probably find him.

5. If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down.

6. Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.

7. Charlie will behave if you set him a good example.
8. Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.

9. Unless you study hard you will never learn.

10. Were it possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 11. A single acorn, if it be alive, will expand into the oak. Exercise 2. Write sentences, using these verbs in the

indicative mode:

am, go, come, behave, travel, dwell, eat, see, saw, have, are.

Write sentences, using these verbs in the subjunctive

The auxiliary (aiding) verbs, may, can, must, might, could, would, should, are frequently used in verb phrases to express power, liberty, or duty.

I must study at home.

You may go.

The horse can run.

The ox can draw heavy loads.

Such verb phrases as must study, may go, etc., are sometimes called potential verb phrases.

NOTE. By some grammarians the potential verb phrases are classified as the potential mode, although they are indicative or subjunctive according to their use.

LESSON 78.- MODE OF VERBS (continued)

The imperative mode is used to express a command or an entreaty.

Joseph, come here.

Close the door quietly.

NOTE.

William, study your lesson.
Lift up your heads.

The subject of the verb in the imperative mode is generally you understood. If the above sentences were written in full, they would be:

Joseph, (you) come here.

(You) close the door quietly.

William, (you) study your lesson.

(You) lift up your heads.

Exercise 1. Name the verbs in the following sentences and classify them according to mode:

1. Take heed lest ye fall.

2. Though he lost the victory, he did not lose his honor.

3. Children, obey your parents.

4. He could foretell the weather easily.

5. Drive slowly and respect the dead.

6. If wishes were horses then beggars would ride.

7. Arise, take up thy bed and walk.

8. Come to the bridal chamber, Death.

9. He who would thrive must rise at five.

10. I could go if I wanted to.

11. Speak gently to little children.

12. If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.

13. Hear me for my cause, and be silent that ye may hear.

14. You should do all you can do for others.

15. It may be a long time or it may be soon.

16. No one can tell what a day may bring forth.

17. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky!

18. Live purely, speak the truth, right the wrong.

Exercise 2. In these quotations from. the Bible name the verb in the imperative mode :

1. Give us this day our daily bread.

2. Agree with thine adversary quickly.

3. Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.

4. Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

5. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.

6. Ask, and it shall be given to you.

7. Seek, and ye shall find.

8. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

9. Honor thy father and thy mother.

10. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Exercise 3. Change these sentences into the imperative mode:

1. The children study their lessons.

2. Alfred comes home early.

3. The boys obey their father.

4. The soldier tells a story.

LESSON 79.-TENSE OF VERBS

The baby sleeps.

The baby slept.

The baby will sleep.

By observing these sentences we can see that the first refers to what is going on at the present time. The second sentence refers to what happened in some past time.

The third sentence refers to what will happen at some future time. This form of the verb, whether it refers to present, past, or future time, is called the tense of the verb. Tense means time.

Tense is the form of the verb that indicates the time of the action.

The division of time into present, past, and future, gives rise to three simple tenses of the verb: the present tense, the past tense, the future tense..

When the action occurs in present time, the verb is in the present tense.

We love our parents.

We live in Chicago.

The horses trot fast.
The dinner is ready.

When the action occurred in past time, the verb is in the past tense.

I went to town.

The boys skated on the pond.

He lived in the country.
They had a good time.

When the action will occur in future time, the verb is in the future tense.

We shall go home to-morrow.

They will depart to-night.

All men will die.
I shall come at dark.

Exercise 1.-In these sentences name the verbs and their tenses:

1. We left town this morning, but shall return to-morrow.
2. Last year we lived in New York. We live now in Boston.
3. He was caught in the rain yesterday and was sick all night.
4. Fulton invented the steamboat.

5. The boat will sail at daybreak.
6. The waters covered the earth.
7. The train arrived at six o'clock.
8. We shall starve unless some one

We are ready to leave.
It rained all night.
It was very late.
will feed us.

9. Shakespeare wrote many plays. 10. When shall we three meet again?

EVANS'S ELE. ENG. GRAM.

- 10

He was a great poet.