hmm--subjunctive mode
I found this really sweet church today in town. Its beautiful, and I went inside and it was so peaceful. I wish churches were like that still today.
-I've been working on the subjunctive mode recently. Its really interesting-- the idea is essentially that the Indicative mode is what we state facts and situations that are certain in, while the subjunctive expresses an eventuality, a wish, uncertainty. It is usually only found in subordinate clauses because the principal clause of the sentence has to set the scene for the subjunctive (thought, wish, eventuality). It is also only found when there is a change of subject from the principal clause to the subordinate clause. I imagine this is because there is no need for another clause if the subject stays the same. It suffices to simply add -de + infinitive to replace the subjunctive.
-There are two main ways the principal clause can force the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
-The first is the more tricky of the two. This depends on the meaning of the principal verb. Verbs that express fear, doubt, taste, preference (opinion), obligation (necessity), regret, desire, or will generally require the subjunctive. This is actually quite logical as these verbs all express the state of the subject (of the principal clause) in respect to the subject and verb of the subordinate clause. The subjunctive is used because there is not necessarily a connection between what the primary subject wants (or doubts, fears, hopes, etc..) and the actions of the subject of the subordinate clause.
Ex: Je veux que tu vienne.
(ind.) (subj.)
The fact that I want you to come does not mean that you are actually going to come. Thus, the subjunctive.
On the other hand- if the actions of the subject of the subordinate clause are certain- the indicative prevails.
Ex: J'entends que tu viens.
(ind.) (ind.)
It's a definite fact that you are coming. So you would use the aptly named indicative mode to indicate that it is sure.
NB- sometimes, when negating a verb that would normally only require the indicative in the subordinate clause, the subjunctive is activated due to the negation. Examples include- ne pas penser, ne pas être sûr, and ne pas trouver. These verbs have more of a positive aspect to them normally, so a negation makes it an uncertainty.
-The second way that the subjunctive is provoked is within the grammatical structure of the sentence. There are both impersonal expressions and conjunctions that require the subjunctive mode.
-I've been working on the subjunctive mode recently. Its really interesting-- the idea is essentially that the Indicative mode is what we state facts and situations that are certain in, while the subjunctive expresses an eventuality, a wish, uncertainty. It is usually only found in subordinate clauses because the principal clause of the sentence has to set the scene for the subjunctive (thought, wish, eventuality). It is also only found when there is a change of subject from the principal clause to the subordinate clause. I imagine this is because there is no need for another clause if the subject stays the same. It suffices to simply add -de + infinitive to replace the subjunctive.
-There are two main ways the principal clause can force the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
-The first is the more tricky of the two. This depends on the meaning of the principal verb. Verbs that express fear, doubt, taste, preference (opinion), obligation (necessity), regret, desire, or will generally require the subjunctive. This is actually quite logical as these verbs all express the state of the subject (of the principal clause) in respect to the subject and verb of the subordinate clause. The subjunctive is used because there is not necessarily a connection between what the primary subject wants (or doubts, fears, hopes, etc..) and the actions of the subject of the subordinate clause.
Ex: Je veux que tu vienne.
(ind.) (subj.)
The fact that I want you to come does not mean that you are actually going to come. Thus, the subjunctive.
On the other hand- if the actions of the subject of the subordinate clause are certain- the indicative prevails.
Ex: J'entends que tu viens.
(ind.) (ind.)
It's a definite fact that you are coming. So you would use the aptly named indicative mode to indicate that it is sure.
NB- sometimes, when negating a verb that would normally only require the indicative in the subordinate clause, the subjunctive is activated due to the negation. Examples include- ne pas penser, ne pas être sûr, and ne pas trouver. These verbs have more of a positive aspect to them normally, so a negation makes it an uncertainty.
-The second way that the subjunctive is provoked is within the grammatical structure of the sentence. There are both impersonal expressions and conjunctions that require the subjunctive mode.