subjunctive Grammar [ səb'dʒʌŋ(k)tɪv ]
■ adjective denoting a mood of verbs expressing what is imagined or wished or possible. Compare with indicative .
■ noun a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Derivatives
subjunctively adverb
Origin
C16: from Fr. subjonctif , -ive or late L. subjunctivus , from subjungere (see subjoin ), rendering Gk hupotaktikos 'subjoined'.
Usage
The subjunctive form of a verb is typically used for what is imagined, wished, or possible. It is usually the same as the ordinary or indicative form of the verb except in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is omitted: for example, one should say the report recommends that he face the tribunal rather than he faces… The subjunctive is also different from the indicative when the verb ‘to be’ is used: for example, it is strictly correct to say I wouldn't try that if I were you rather than …if I was you . In modern English the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong.