Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

Dictionary of language and linguistics 1140ReferencesBellert, I. 1970. On the semantic interpretation of subject-predicate relations in the sentence ofparticular reference. In M.Bierwisch and K.E.Heidolph (eds), Progress in linguistics. TheHague. 9–26.Geach, P.T. 1950. Subject and predicate. Mind 59.461–82.Sandmann, M. 1979. Subject and predicate: a contribution to the theory of syntax, 2nd edn.Heidelberg.Sasse, H.-J. 1987. The thetic/categorial distinction revisited. Linguistics 25.511–80.subjectsubjunctionimplication, conjunctionsubjunctive [Lat. subiunctivus (transl. of Grkhypotaktikós), from subiungere ‘to fix under;to attach in a subordinate capacity’]Subcategory of verbal mood in many languages, which, in contrast to the neutralindicative, portrays the state of affairs described by the verb as ‘relative.’ It can be usedto express a subjective evaluation by the speaker, such as a wish (If only he were here!), adoubt or an expression of possibility. Virtually all Indo-European languages still possessa morphological subjunctive system, although it is greatly reduced in English ascompared to German and French. In many languages, other forms such as modalauxiliaries and sentence adverbials (probably, maybe) have taken on some of thefunctions of the subjunctive.In English, the subjunctive occurs only in a limited number of constructions: (a)wishes: If only I had a million dollars!; (b) some set expressions: Long live the Queen!Be that as it may…, God bless!; (c) clauses containing recommendations, requirements,demands, etc.: It is recommended that each participant come early; (d) in hypothetical orunreal sentences as the first element: If I were benevolent dictator of the world… Suchsentences are followed by the conditional ( sequence of tenses).The form of the subjunctive in English depends on its use. (1) For types (a)—(c), thesubjunctive is identical to the infinitive form (without to); the main differences are in theforms of to be, and in the third person singular, where the indicative adds -s: I demandthat he attend/be present vs He attends/is present. (2) For hypothetical constructions, twoforms of subjunctive are used: (a) for present or timeless conditions, present subjunctive,identical in form to the past tense with -ed (or were): If I were you…, If you workedharder…; (b) for conditions in the past, had + past participle: If you had been there…, Ifyou had worked harder.