Subjunctive in Dutch

The subjunctive mood in Dutch is a verb mood typically used in dependent clauses to express a wish, command, emotion, possibility, uncertainty, doubt, judgment, opinion, necessity, or action that has not yet occurred.

It is also referred to as the conjunctive mood (Dutch: aanvoegende wijs) as it often follows a conjunction. As in English, the subjunctive mood in Dutch has been gradually replaced by modal auxiliary verbs. As a consequence, contemporary use is mostly, but not completely, confined to set phrases and semi-fixed expressions. In older Dutch texts, the use of the subjunctive can be encountered frequently.

Contents

Formation

Present subjunctive

Past subjunctive

Future subjunctive

The future subjunctive is mostly a theoretical construct, which has almost never been used.

Usage

In Dutch, the conjunctive mood can express a

The subjunctive was in the past quite common and can often be encountered in older Dutch texts. Its use began a slow but steady decline, first in spoken language and later on in written language. During the early 20th century, it was already noted by linguists that the use of the subjunctive in oral language was rare.[1] By that time, the use of the subjunctive in writing was also dwindling - a process that continued throughout the 20th century.

If the subjunctive is used in accordance with the rules mentioned in this article, it is still considered grammatically correct, but often sounds archaic or formal. In contemporary Dutch, the subjunctive is no longer actively used, save for a few exceptions and a large range of set phrases. Instead the function of the subjunctive has been replaced by a range of auxiliary verbs, with "zullen" ('will') as the most important one, especially its past tense: "zouden" ('would').

Command or wish

The subjunctive can express a wish or command.[2] As such the subjunctive fulfills the function of what is known as the optative mood in some other languages. The main verb expresses a wish, demand or desire, such as willen (to want), begeren and verlangen (to desire), hopen (to hope), bidden (to pray), smeken (to beg) and waken and zorgen (to take care). Example sentences:

It is also possible to express a wish without using a dependent clause. Example sentences:

In contemporary Dutch, the optative function of the subjunctive has to a large extent been replaced by the auxiliary verb "zullen" ('will') and to a much lesser extent by "laten" ('to let'). Example sentences: Ik hoop dat hij op tijd zal komen. (I hope he will come on time) and "Laat Uw Naam geheiligd worden." (Let Thy Name be hallowed, instead of "Geheiligd 'zij' Uw Naam" or "Hallowed 'be' Thy Name)." Many religious texts and official government or business letters still make use of the optative subjunctive.

Exhortation

The subjunctive can express an exhortation. Normally the 3rd person is used.

Condition or possibility

The subjunctive can be used to imply a condition or possibility.[3] The former is also called the conditional mood or conditionality; the latter potentialis. Example sentences:

In contemporary Dutch, the conditional function of the subjunctive has almost been completely replaced by the combination of "als" ('if') or "indien" ('if') and the modal auxiliary verb "zouden" ('would'). For example: Als hij koning zou zijn... (If he would be king...) and Indien hij nog zou leven... (If he would still be alive...).

Several conjunctions were often accompagnied with a subjunctive, because these conjunctions always express a condition.[4] Some examples:

In contemporary usage, these conjunctions are normally always followed by an auxiliary verb and an indicative mood.

Uncertainty or doubt

The subjunctive can be used to express a uncertainty or doubt.[5] Example sentences:

Several conjunctions were often accompagnied with a subjunctive, because these conjunctions always express a uncertainty or doubt.[6]

In contemporary Dutch, uncertainty is expressed by the modal auxiliary verb "zullen" ('will') and its past tense "zouden" ('would').

Irreality

The subjunctive can be used to express an irrealis situation. Example sentences:

Concession

The subjunctive can express a concession.[7] Example sentences:

Several conjunctions were often accompagnied with a subjunctive, because these conjunctions always express a concession.[8]

Purpose

Several conjunctions were always accompagnied with a subjunctive in the past, because these conjunctions always express a purpose.[9] Some examples:

In contemporary usage, these conjunctions are normally always followed by an auxiliary verb and an indicative mood.

Set phrases

In contemporary Dutch, a wide range of fixed expressions that make use of the conjunctive exist. Some examples are mentioned here.

Proverbs

Some examples:

Formal and religious language

Some examples:[10]

Set words

In some words, the use of the subjunctive can be seen:

The composite words can also be split in their components and form a full-fledged sentence.

See also

References

  1. ^ De Nieuwe Taalgids. Jaargang 3, 1909, p. 181
  2. ^ (Dutch) Dr. W. G. BRILL, Nederlandsche spraakleer, p. 346. google.be
  3. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst, p. 147. dbnl.org
  4. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. google.be
  5. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 134. google.be
  6. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. google.be
  7. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, p. 147 digitalebibliotheek.be
  8. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. google.be
  9. ^ (Dutch) P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. google.be
  10. ^ (Dutch) Faculteit der Letteren, Radboud Universiteit, Aanvoegende wijs (conjunctief) let.ru.nl