An English Grammar - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
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.
