Structures: The Subjunctive (IELTS, TOEFL Writing)

Write to the Top
3 Mar 201716:15
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this informative video, Adam delves into the intricacies of the subjunctive mood in English, a structure particularly prevalent in formal writing and beneficial for those preparing for English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL. He explains that the subjunctive mood not only adds stylistic variety to writing but can also enhance the sophistication of essays, thereby potentially boosting scores. Adam outlines four primary uses of the subjunctive mood: conditional sentences, wishful thinking, expressing commands or advice, and certain fixed expressions. He emphasizes the importance of learning the construction and application of the subjunctive mood rather than the reasons behind it. The video provides clear examples and advises on the correct use of 'were' in hypothetical situations, the structure following verbs like 'wish', and formal expressions like 'It is important that...'. Adam also touches on British English preferences and common pitfalls to avoid. He concludes by encouraging practice and offering assistance for any further questions, making the content not just informative but also engaging and accessible.

Takeaways
  • 📝 The subjunctive mood is a formal structure used more in writing than in spoken English, which adds variety and style to writing.
  • 📚 It's particularly useful for those preparing for English exams like IELTS and TOEFL, where essays and formal writing are required.
  • 🔍 There are four main ways to use the subjunctive mood: if conditionals, wishful thinking, expressing commands/advice, and fixed expressions.
  • ❗ The 'if' conditional with 'were' is a specific type of unreal conditional used to discuss hypothetical situations.
  • 🚫 Using 'was' instead of 'were' after 'if' in formal writing is technically incorrect, even though it's commonly used in speech.
  • 🌟 'Wish' is used for expressing desires that are unrealistic, always followed by 'were' for any subject.
  • 🗣️ The subjunctive mood in noun clauses does not change tense; it's timeless and uses the base form of the verb.
  • 🔑 Common indicative verbs that precede a subjunctive clause include suggest, recommend, ask, and insist.
  • 📖 British English often adds 'should' after verbs like suggest or advise, making it part of the subjunctive structure.
  • 🔗 Recognizing the structure of the subjunctive mood is important for understanding and scoring well on tests like the GMAT or SAT.
  • 📝 In formal writing, using the subjunctive mood correctly can improve essay quality and lead to higher scores.
Q & A

  • What is the subjunctive mood used for in English?

    -The subjunctive mood is used to express various states that are not fact, but are hypothetical or contrary to fact. It is especially used in formal written English, including essays, letters, and articles, and can add variety and style to writing.

  • Why is the subjunctive mood important for those taking English exams like IELTS or TOEFL?

    -The subjunctive mood is important for these exams because it can enhance the sophistication of written responses, such as essays, which can lead to higher scores.

  • What are the four different ways the subjunctive mood is used according to the video?

    -The four ways are: 1) If conditional sentences expressing unreal conditions, 2) Wishful thinking using the verb 'wish', 3) Expressing commands, advice, or suggestions, and 4) Certain fixed expressions.

  • How is the subjunctive mood used in 'if' conditional sentences that are unreal?

    -In unreal 'if' conditional sentences, the subjunctive mood uses 'were' instead of 'was' for all subjects, even when talking about the past or future unreal conditions.

  • What is the correct form of the verb to use in the subjunctive mood after 'wish'?

    -After 'wish', the subjunctive mood always uses 'were', regardless of the subject of the sentence.

  • How does the subjunctive mood express commands, advice, or suggestions?

    -The subjunctive mood is used after certain indicative verbs like 'suggest', 'recommend', 'demand', or 'insist', followed by a noun clause with a base verb form, which does not change according to tense or subject.

  • What are some common indicative verbs that are followed by a subjunctive noun clause?

    -Common indicative verbs include suggest, recommend, ask, insist, demand, command, order, wish, propose, and urge. Nouns like advice and suggestion can also be used.

  • What is the structure of a sentence using the subjunctive mood after adjectives like 'important' or 'essential'?

    -The structure is: Adjective + that + subject + base verb. The verb in the subjunctive clause does not change for tense or subject agreement.

  • How is the word 'should' used in the British style of writing with the subjunctive mood?

    -In British style, 'should' is often added after verbs like 'recommend' or 'advise' and before the base verb in a subjunctive clause, though the meaning remains the same.

  • What does the phrase 'So be it' express in the context of the subjunctive mood?

    -'So be it' is a fixed expression used to indicate acceptance of a situation as it is, regardless of personal preferences or desires.

  • How can the subjunctive mood be used in more formal or serious writing, such as an essay?

    -In formal writing, the subjunctive mood can be used to express hypothetical situations or to give opinions on what ought to be done, using structures like 'were they to' or 'it is crucial that' followed by a subjunctive clause.

  • What is the advice given for practicing the subjunctive mood before official tests?

    -The advice is to practice recognizing the structure of the subjunctive mood and its usage in various contexts to improve one's ability to use it correctly and effectively in exams.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood

The first paragraph introduces the subjunctive mood, emphasizing its importance in formal written English, particularly for those taking English proficiency exams like IELTS or TOEFL. Adam explains that the subjunctive mood is a structure that adds variety and style to writing. He outlines four different ways the subjunctive mood is used: in 'if' conditional sentences, for wishful thinking, to express commands or advice, and in fixed expressions. Adam also clarifies the correct use of 'were' in subjunctive sentences and contrasts it with the more commonly used but technically incorrect 'was'.

05:01
🎓 Wishful Thinking and That-Clauses

The second paragraph delves into the use of the subjunctive mood in wishful thinking with the verb 'wish' and the structure of indicative verbs followed by a 'that' clause. It is explained that 'wish' is always followed by 'were' for any subject, and indicative verbs like 'suggest', 'recommend', 'insist', etc., are followed by a base verb form in the 'that' clause. The paragraph also discusses the option to omit 'that' in certain contexts and the importance of recognizing this structure in exams like the GMAT or SAT.

10:03
🏫 Applications in Academic Writing

The third paragraph provides examples of how to use the subjunctive mood in academic writing, particularly in essays. It illustrates the use of 'were' in hypothetical situations and 'be' in the subjunctive voice after adjectives like 'important' or 'crucial'. The paragraph includes sample essay excerpts on topics such as schools fighting obesity and governments addressing climate change, demonstrating how the subjunctive mood can be incorporated to enhance formality and seriousness in writing.

15:04
📝 Practice and Implementation

The final paragraph encourages practice of the subjunctive mood before using it in official tests. It highlights the importance of recognizing the structure for improving scores in the writing section. Adam offers help through social media platforms for any questions and encourages viewers to like the video, subscribe to the channel for more grammar and writing tips, and look forward to the next video.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is a verb form used to express various states of unreality or hypothetical situations, such as wishes, commands, or suggestions. In the video, Adam emphasizes its importance in formal writing, particularly for English language learners preparing for exams like IELTS or TOEFL, as it adds variety and style to their essays and written responses.
💡If Conditional
An 'if conditional' is a clause that introduces a condition that must be met for something else to happen. In the context of the subjunctive mood, Adam discusses a specific type of 'if conditional' that uses 'were' instead of 'was', regardless of the subject, to express unreal or hypothetical situations, such as 'If I were you, I would leave it alone.'
💡Wishful Thinking
Wishful thinking involves expressing a desire for something that is not likely to happen. In the video, Adam explains how to use the subjunctive mood with the verb 'wish' to convey such desires, as in 'I wish I were with you,' which implies a hypothetical situation that is not currently true.
💡Commands, Advice, and Suggestions
Commands, advice, and suggestions are directives or recommendations given to someone. Adam covers how to use the subjunctive mood in these contexts, often involving a structure with an indicative verb like 'suggest' or 'recommend' followed by a noun clause with a base verb form, such as 'The doctor advised that Jim be brought to the hospital.'
💡Fixed Expressions
Fixed expressions are set phrases that are used with a specific meaning and are often idiomatic. Adam provides examples of fixed expressions using the subjunctive mood, such as 'So be it,' 'as it were,' and 'if need be,' which are used to convey acceptance of a situation, a manner of speaking, or the necessity of an action, respectively.
💡IELTS and TOEFL
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are standardized tests that assess a person's English language proficiency. The video is particularly geared towards individuals preparing for these exams, highlighting how the subjunctive mood can enhance their writing sections.
💡Variety in Writing
Having variety in writing refers to using a range of sentence structures and styles to make the text more engaging and sophisticated. Adam stresses the importance of using the subjunctive mood to achieve this variety, which can lead to higher scores in formal writing assessments.
💡Formal Written English
Formal written English is a style of writing characterized by structured sentences, correct grammar, and a professional tone. The subjunctive mood is more commonly used in this style, as opposed to spoken English, to convey certain nuances and to adhere to the conventions of formal writing.
💡Unreal Conditionals
Unreal conditionals are used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations, often in the past or future. Adam discusses the use of 'were' with unreal conditionals to express situations that are not true or are unlikely to happen, such as 'If I won a million dollars, I would buy a house.'
💡Base Verb Form
The base verb form is the basic, uninflected form of a verb, typically used in the subjunctive mood without any tense modifications. Adam explains that in structures like 'It is important that he go,' the verb 'go' remains in its base form, regardless of the subject or tense of the main clause.
💡British vs. American English
British and American English sometimes differ in their use of the subjunctive mood. Adam notes that in British English, it is common to add 'should' after verbs like 'recommend' or 'suggest,' as in 'The doctor suggested that Jim should go to the hospital,' which is part of the subjunctive mood usage in British style writing.
Highlights

The subjunctive mood is a structure used in formal writing to add variety and style to sentence structures.

It is especially useful for those taking English exams like IELTS or TOEFL where essay writing is required.

The subjunctive mood can be used in four different ways: if conditional, wishful thinking, expressing commands/advice, and fixed expressions.

The 'if' conditional with 'were' is used for unreal or hypothetical situations, regardless of the subject.

Using 'be' in the subjunctive is technically correct, despite common usage of 'was' by native speakers.

Wishful thinking uses 'wish' followed by the past tense verb, always 'were' with the 'be' verb.

The indicative verb plus a noun clause with a base verb is a key structure of the subjunctive mood.

The subjunctive verb does not change tense; it remains in its base form.

Common indicative verbs that precede a subjunctive clause include suggest, recommend, and demand.

The use of 'should' is more common in British English when expressing advice or necessity.

Fixed expressions like 'so be it' and 'as it were' are part of the subjunctive mood.

The phrase 'if need be' is used to express necessity in both written and spoken English.

In formal writing, the subjunctive can be used to express hypothetical situations or advice.

The structure of the subjunctive mood is crucial for understanding and scoring well in English grammar sections of exams like the GMAT or SAT.

Examples are provided to illustrate how the subjunctive mood can be implemented in essays.

Practicing the subjunctive mood before official tests can improve scores and writing sophistication.

The video offers guidance on using the subjunctive mood correctly to avoid confusion and enhance essay quality.

Transcripts

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