An English Grammar Part 41

II. Subjunctive of Purpose.

223. The subjunctive, especially _be_, _may_, _might_, and _should_, is used to express purpose, the clause being introduced by _that_ or _lest_; as,--

It was necessary, he supposed, to drink strong beer, that he _might be_ strong to labor.--FRANKLIN.

I have been the more particular...that you _may compare_ such unlikely beginnings with the figure I have since made there.--_Id._

He [Roderick] with sudden impulse that way rode, To tell of what had pa.s.sed, lest in the strife They _should engage_ with Julian's men.--SOUTHEY.

III. Subjunctive of Result.

224. The subjunctive may represent the result toward which an action tends:--

So many thoughts move to and fro, That vain it _were_ her eyes to close.

--COLERIDGE.

So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan...

Thou _go_ not, like the quarry-slave at night.

--BRYANT.

IV. In Temporal Clauses.

225. The English subjunctive, like the Latin, is sometimes used in a clause to express the time when an action is to take place.

Let it rise, till it _meet_ the sun in his coming.--D. WEBSTER.

Rise up, before it _be_ too late!--HAWTHORNE.

But it will not be long Ere this _be thrown_ aside.

--WORDSWORTH.

V. In Indirect Questions.

226. The subjunctive is often found in indirect questions, the answer being regarded as doubtful.

Ask the great man if there _be_ none greater.--EMERSON

What the best arrangement _were_, none of us could say.--CARLYLE.

Whether it _were_ morning or whether it _were_ afternoon, in her confusion she had not distinctly known.--DE QUINCEY.

VI. Expressing a Wish.

227. After a verb of wis.h.i.+ng, the subjunctive is regularly used in the dependent clause.

The transmigiation of souls is no fable. I would it _were_!

--EMERSON.

Bright star! Would I _were_ steadfast as thou art!--KEATS.

I've wished that little isle _had_ wings, And we, within its fairy bowers, _Were wafted_ off to seas unknown.

--MOORE.

VII. In a Noun Clause.

[Sidenote: _Subject._]

228. The noun clause, in its various uses as subject, object, in apposition, etc., often contains a subjunctive.

The essence of originality is not that it _be_ new.--CARLYLE

[Sidenote: _Apposition or logical subject._]

To appreciate the wild and sharp flavors of those October fruits, it is necessary that you _be breathing_ the sharp October or November air.--Th.o.r.eAU.

[Sidenote: _Complement._]

The first merit, that which admits neither subst.i.tute nor equivalent, is, that everything _be_ in its place.--COLERIDGE.

[Sidenote: _Object._]

As sure as Heaven shall rescue me, I have no thought what men they _be_.--COLERIDGE.

Some might lament that I _were_ cold.--Sh.e.l.lEY.

[Sidenote: _After verbs of commanding._]

This subjunctive is very frequent after verbs of _commanding_.

See that there _be_ no traitors in your camp.--TENNYSON.