Subjunctive

Subjunctive Mood

Defining Subjunctive Mood

  • The subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical or potential actions, generally those that are contingent upon some condition.
  • It expresses doubt, uncertainty, possibility, necessity or action that has not yet occurred.
  • In Greek, the subjunctive mood can be recognised by the long vowel that is typically inserted between the stem of the verb and the personal ending. e.g. ‘λυ’ + ‘ω’ in the case of ‘λύω’ (I might release).

Recognising Subjunctive Verbs

  • Subjunctive verbs in Greek often end with long-vowel endings.
  • These endings include -η, -ῃ, -ης, -ῃς, -ῃ, -ωμεν, -ητε, -ωσι(ν). Remember that practice is the key, and the more exposed you are to different verb forms, the easier it will be to recognise the subjunctive mood.

Forming the Subjunctive Mood

  • The subjunctive is formed by adding the appropriate subjunctive ending to the verb stem.
  • Eg. For ‘λύω’, the 1st person singular subjunctive would be ‘λύω’, the 2nd person singular would be ‘λύῃς’, and so forth.

Using the Subjunctive

  • The subjunctive is commonly used in condition clauses, purpose clauses, and in indirect questions.
  • It can also appear in hortatory statements or wishes, which is why it is sometimes translated with ‘let’ (such as ‘let us go’) or ‘may’ (such as ‘may you be blessed’).

Key Usages

  • Being proficient in the subjunctive mood will make your Greek much more flexible and accurate.
  • It is a common feature in a range of different Greek contexts and genres, hence it’s essential to gain a good command of its use.

Important Note

  • Remember that the subjunctive mood is used to represent something which is possible or imagined, rather than something that definitively happens.
  • Do not confuse the long-vowel endings of the subjunctive with the future tense. They are similar but serve different roles in Greek sentence structure.
  • You may wish to learn the principal parts of verbs, which will dramatically improve your ability to recognise and use the subjunctive mood quickly and correctly.
  • Practice reading Greek texts carefully and identify subjunctive verbs. This will greatly aid your comprehension and translation skills.