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. It is also referred to as the conjunctive mood 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 As in English the subjunctive mood in Dutch has gradually been replaced by modal auxiliary verbs.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 , imperfect present tense:
First Person: present root + e or if the root ends on a vowel: root
Second Person: present root +et or root +e: gij nemet', zij je, u lette
Third Person: present root +e: hij spele
Plural: present infinitive: wij mogen
VTT: OTT of hebben or zijn + Past Participle: ik hebbe gespeeld, u zij gegaan.''
wish: hence, it fulfills the function of the optative mood in other languages.
command
condition: hence, it fulfills the function of the conditional mood in other languages.
irreality: hence, it fulfills the function of the irrealis mood in other languages.
possibility: potentialis
doubt
uncertainty
concession
purpose
exhortation: it fulfills the function of the hortative mood in other languages.
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. 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 Instead the function of the subjunctive has been replaced by a range of auxiliary verbs, the most important of which is "zullen", especially its past tense: "zouden".
Command or wish
The subjunctive can express a wish or command. As such the subjunctive fulfills the function of what is known as the optative mood in some other languages. Example sentences:
Lang leve de koningin!
Mogen zij in vrede rusten.
Het ga je goed!
God zegene en beware je.
Het geluk zij met u!
Hiermede moge ik u berichten dat wij uw brief goed hebben ontvangen.
Ware hij toch verstandiger geweest!
In contemporary Dutch, the optative function of the subjunctive has to a large extent been replaced by the auxiliary verb "zullen" and to a much lesser extent by "laten". Example sentences: Ik hoop dat hij op tijd zal komen. and "Laat Uw Naam geheiligd worden."." 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 or the imperative is used. Exceptions may be found in cookbook recipe formula's, normally in combination with the third person form men.
Men neme drie eieren.
De lezer bedenke wel dat dit boek vijftig jaar geleden geschreven is. / Modern Dutch: De lezer moet wel bedenken dat dit boek vijftig jaar geleden geschreven is.
Men zegge het voort. / Modern Dutch: Zeg het voort.
Men herleze mijn brief. / Modern Dutch: Men moet mijn brief herlezen.
De gebruiker lette hierop. / Modern Dutch: De gebruiker moet hierop letten.
Irreality
The subjunctive can be used to express an irrealis situation. Example sentences:
De man sprak over de bankoverval als ware het een zondaguitstapje.
Concession
The subjunctive can express a. Example sentences:
Wie hij ook zij.
Wat hij ook moge doen.
Hoe het ook zij.
Ik ben het met zijn standpunten eens, zij het niet geheel van harte.
Set phrases
In contemporary Dutch, a wide range of fixed expressions that make use of the subjunctive exist. Some examples are mentioned here.
