subjunctive (n.) (subj, SUBJ, subjun)

A term used in the grammatical classification of sentence types, and usually seen in contrast to indicative, imperative, etc., moods. It refers to verb forms or sentence/clause types used in the expression of many kinds of subordinate clause, for a range of attitudes including tentativeness, vagueness, uncertainty. In modern English, the examples which come nearest to the subjunctive occur in ‘hypothetical’ constructions of the type if she were going (cf. if she was going), in certain formulae (e.g. So be it!), and in some clauses introduced by that (especially in American English, e.g. I insist that he go to town). In many languages, it is more productive, e.g. in French.