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Now I want a grammar thread

(122 Posts)
thatbags Fri 12-Sept-14 08:20:41

Not because of pedantry. My recent use of a phrase in the subjunctive mood, which I think was widely misunderstood, is the cause of this plea.

Some people argue that we don't use the subjunctive mood in English. I argue that we do; at least I do. I think the problem is that it is difficult to recognise, as my experience yesterday showed.

What do other people think about English language subjunctive clauses? Do you use them? Do people understand you when you do?

smile

Icyalittle Fri 12-Sept-14 11:50:46

Given the relationship between the subjunctive and modal verbs, I would say not, thatbags.

Icyalittle Fri 12-Sept-14 11:52:31

Yes, I use subjunctives, very often. And I bet most people here do too, even if they swear they don't. 'If I were you...' For example.

Soutra Fri 12-Sept-14 13:11:46

While uses of the subjunctive tend to feature in subordinate clauses surely "God save the Queen" counts as a statement? confused - not sure though...........

thatbags Fri 12-Sept-14 13:39:42

I think that one's more like a prayer or wish, soutra, as in "Let god save the queen".

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 13:40:08

Anyone else still awake when they reached this point in English lessons?

Yawn.

Aka Fri 12-Sept-14 13:46:56

It would be rude to go without saying goodbye to all those who have become friends and supported me in bad times. So I wish you all the best.

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 13:47:58

Whaaaat???? shock

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 13:48:46

Oi you!

Come back!

Galen Fri 12-Sept-14 13:49:12

Don't askhmm

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 13:49:23

confused

Galen Fri 12-Sept-14 13:51:28

Jing did your norther never tell you that " ok you" is not ladylike and note used in polite circles? smile

Galen Fri 12-Sept-14 13:51:54

Or even your mother?hmm

Galen Fri 12-Sept-14 13:52:35

I typed oi you. B ipad

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 13:54:53

Sod that Galen. hmm

Elegran Fri 12-Sept-14 13:56:14

Aka Have you tried to post something that did not get through? Your last one is more than a little cryptic.

Galen Fri 12-Sept-14 13:56:45

shock language jing

rosequartz Fri 12-Sept-14 15:00:50

Sod -a clump of earth as in 'Good King Wenceslas'

Ana Fri 12-Sept-14 15:00:58

Don't go just because of that, Aka! sad

We've weathered worse things...

Ana Fri 12-Sept-14 15:07:37

Oh, bugger, she's gone already - just tried to send a PM.

Elegran Fri 12-Sept-14 15:30:03

If she is in the huff because of something Bags said, I took that as meaning that she (Bags) would not take offence, even if etc. Not sure why anyone saw an insult in it.

You have turned very sensitive, Aka, for someone who is usually quite robust.

Elegran Fri 12-Sept-14 15:30:57

She will be back, Ana, with a new name. She has left and returned before.

Ana Fri 12-Sept-14 15:40:17

I'm aware of that, Elegran. I'm not so sure whether she'll be back this time though.

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 16:33:40

The post in question was insulting! It was plain nasty. Call it sub whatever you like. The meaning was still obvious. hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 12-Sept-14 16:34:16

In fact, I think it should have been deleted.

thatbags Fri 12-Sept-14 16:43:18

It was not insulting! The post wasn't even about the person I addressed it to; it was about me, about how I take things. I'd be very surprised if people at HQ, whom I had assumed to be intelligent, can't see that.