Subjunctive in Dutch

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The subjunctive 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.

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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 As in English the subjunctive mood in Dutch has gradually been replaced by modal auxiliary verbs. As a consequence of this, its contemporary use is mostly—but not completely—confined to set phrases and semi-fixed expressions. Readers of older Dutch texts frequently encounter the use of the subjunctive, especially in legal, judicial, literary and religious texts.

Formation

Present subjunctive

Onvoltooid Tegenwoordige Tijd(OTT), imperfect present tense:

Past subjunctive

Onvoltooid Verleden Tijd(OVT), imperfect past tense:

Future subjunctive

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

Usage

In Dutch, the subjunctive mood can express a

The subjunctive was quite common in the past, and is often encountered in older Dutch texts. It underwent a slow but steady decline in use, first in the spoken language and later in the written language. It was already noted by linguists in the early 20th century 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 Instead the function of the subjunctive has been replaced by a range of auxiliary verbs, the most important of which is zullen ('will'), especially its past tense: zouden ('would').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. 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In contemporary Dutch, the optative function of the subjunctive has to a large extent been replaced by the auxiliary verb zullen ('will') and to a much lesser extent by laten ('to let').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. This form is archaic and is usually expressed in modern Dutch with the auxiliary verb moeten ('must' or 'should') or the imperative is used. Exceptions may be found in cookbook recipe formulas, normally in combination with the third person form men ('one' or 'you').

Irreality

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

Concession

The subjunctive can express a concession. [3] Example sentences:

Set phrases

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

Proverbs

Some examples:

Formal and religious language

Some examples: [4]

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

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References

  1. ↑ Berckenhoff, F. (1909). "De dienstbaarheid van de moedertaal". De Nieuwe Tallgids (in Dutch). 3: 181–82.
  2. ↑ Brill, W.G. (1871). Nederlandsche Spraakleer (in Dutch). Leiden: E.J. Brill. p. 346. Men bezigt den subjunctief: Wanneer de handeling of de toestand vermeld wordt als bestaande in de bedoeling of den wensch des subjekts
  3. ↑ (in Dutch) P. WEILAND, p. 147 digitalebibliotheek.be
  4. ↑ (in Dutch)Faculteit der Letteren, Radboud Universiteit, Aanvoegende wijs (conjunctief) let.ru.nl
  5. ↑ "alle collega's gelieve / gelieven | Genootschap Onze Taal". Onze Taal. Onze Taal. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
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