The Subjunctive Here’s the latest in my series of quixotic pleas on behalf of a dying verb mood. The subjunctive can be tricky to get right. The forms are often hard to distinguish from other verb forms, and the rules for when to use it are complicated. The stylebook entry offers a quick refresher course: subjunctive. Use this form of verb to express a wishful notion or a proposition contrary to fact: ･ The mayor wishes the commissioner were retiring this year (not was retiring, because the commissioner is staying on). ･ If the commissioner were rich, she could retire (not was rich, because she needs the salary). ･ If the bill were passed, taxes could go down (not was passed, because it is still just a hope). Do not use the subjunctive form (even with a tantalizing if in the sentence) when the intent is merely to convert an is idea to the past tense: ･ The mayor asked if the commissioner was rich (the past version of asks if she is rich). ･ Secretary Kuzu asked if the bill was going to pass this year (simply the past version of asks if it is). ･ But: If the bill were going to pass, Secretary Kuzu would know by now (not was going to pass, but were, because the hypothesis is untrue: The bill is unlikely to pass). One cue to use the subjunctive is the phrase as though or (preferred) as if. Either phrase signifies that what follows is contrary to fact: Secretary Kuzu acts as if she were (not was) in the White House. The actor looked as if he were sick. Here are a few recent lapses: ･･･ Ranjana Kumari, director of the Center for Social Research, said that even if the test was phased out, doctors would face difficulty collecting evidence in rape cases, since few, if any, had access to DNA testing laboratories. Use the subjunctive for this hypothetical condition: “if the test were phased out.” ･･･ As if all that is not enough, even before starting his new job Mr. Ponte was under attack by the longtime leader of the New York City correction officers’ union, Norman Seabrook, who is considered one of the most powerful union leaders in the state. This condition could be viewed as either hypothetical or contrary-to-fact; either way, it should use the subjunctive: “As if all that were not enough …” ･･･ What is remarkable is that Teixeira fields that position as if he has been playing there all his life, when he has not. The sentence makes quite clear that this is a contrary-to-fact condition. It requires a subjunctive, which in this case looks like a pluperfect tense, using the auxiliary “had”: “as if he had been playing …” (And with a contrary-to-fact condition, there’s no need for the redundant “when he has not.”) ･･･ But his last-second heave after Anthony’s gaffe was off target. If he scored it would have been quite a redemptive moment. But he didn’t score, so this is a contrary-to-fact condition. Make it “If he had scored …” In a Word This week’s grab bag of grammar, style and other missteps, compiled with help from colleagues and readers. ･･･ Two groups in particular stand to be most empowered by Wednesday’s decision: Those with the wherewithal to spend millions of dollars on campaign contributions and those with access to them, including party leaders, senior lawmakers and presidents. Because what follows the colon is not a complete sentence, “those” should not be capitalized. ･･･ But in 2005, the former first lady Laura Bush sat her down and gently told her it was time to do more with her life. The stylebook entry on first lady begins: “Lowercase, and always standing alone or separated from the name by a comma: the first lady, Leigh C. Lamm.” Also, she was not “former” in 2005. So perhaps “Laura Bush, then the first lady, …” ･･･ Major League Baseball’s medical director, Dr. Gary Green, said in a subsequent interview that six minutes were adequate for a proper evaluation, a contention several concussion experts disputed. The reference is to the extent of time, not to the number of individual minutes, so treat it as singular: “six minutes was adequate.” ･･･ “Mr. Silverstein’s financial interests should not be the operating principal in the rebuilding,” a deputy mayor, Daniel L. Doctoroff, noted years back. Again! We got it wrong again! Maybe we were led astray by the reference to finances. But the word we wanted here, meaning essential element or rule, is “principle.” ･･･ Portions of the wood fence Mr. Buatta had commissioned to replace the old stone walls now lay in shambles in the yard, felled by New England winters. Octagonal pillars are stripped bare of paint, and the front porch has buckled. Clearly we wanted the present tense throughout, so make it “lie in shambles.” ･･･
Posted on: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:42:41 +0000