How is the verb "suppose" used with the subjunctive?
Subjunctive Use of "Suppose"
The verb "suppose" is often used with the subjunctive mood to express a condition that is uncertain or not yet realized. For example:
"I suppose that he be there by now." (The speaker is expressing doubt or uncertainty about whether the subject is actually there.)
"We could suppose that she come with us, but I'm not sure." (The speaker is suggesting a possibility, but is not certain whether it will actually happen.)
The subjunctive mood is used to express situations that are contrary to fact or possibility. It is often used to express a condition or an event that is not real or that has not yet happened. In the examples above, the subjunctive is used to express the speaker's uncertainty about the reality of the condition or event being described.
What is Subjunctive?
The subjunctive mood is a grammatical mood used to express certain types of conditional or hypothetical statements, or to describe events or situations that are contrary to fact or reality. It is used to express things that are not necessarily true or that are based on assumptions or desires rather than on facts.
The subjunctive mood is used to express a variety of concepts, including:
- Conditions that are contrary to fact: "If I were rich, I would travel the world." (The speaker is not actually rich, so the condition "if I were rich" is contrary to fact.)
- Doubt or uncertainty: "I suggest that he be there by now." (The speaker is not certain that the subject is actually there.)
- Desires or requests: "I wish that she come with us." (The speaker is expressing a desire or request, but it is not certain whether the subject will actually come.)
- Suggestions or recommendations: "We recommend that he be given a raise." (The speaker is suggesting a course of action, but it is not yet certain whether it will be implemented.)
In each of these examples, the subjunctive mood is used to express a condition or event that is not necessarily true or that has not yet happened. It is often used to express doubt, uncertainty, or a desire or request, rather than to describe a fact or reality.
