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Subjunctive in Dutch

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The subjunctive in Dutch is a verb mood in Dutch 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.

Formation

  • Formation of the subjunctive:
    • O.T.T. :
      • First Person: root + e (ik spele) or root (ik ga) (if the root ends on a vowel)
      • Second Person: root +et or root +e (see T-rules): gij nemet, vinde jij, u weze
      • Third Person: root +e: hij spele
      • Plural: Present Infinitive: wij spelen, jullie gaan, zij racen
    • O.V.T.:
      • Singular: past infinitive minus the end -n
      • Plural: past infinitive
      • There's one exception to this rule: the past subjunctive of the verb worden (to become) is wierde(n) and not the expected regular werde(n), which is the past infinitive.
    • O.Tk.T.: O.T.T. of zullen + Present Infinitive: ik zulle spelen
    • O.V.Tk.T.: O.V.T. of zullen + Present Infinitive: ik zoude spelen
    • V.T.T.: O.T.T. of hebben or zijn + Past Participle: ik hebbe gespeeld, gij zijt gegaan
    • V.V.T.: O.V.T. of hebben or zijn + Past Participle: ik hadde gespeeld, gij waret gegaan
    • V.Tk.T.: O.Tk.T. of hebben or zijn + Past Participle: ik zulle gespeeld hebben, gij zullet gegaan zijn
    • V.V.Tk.T.: O.V.Tk.T. of hebben or zijn + Past Participle: ik zoude gespeeld hebben, gij zoudet gegaan zijn

Usage

Dutch has the following moods: the non-finite mood (infinitive or onbepaalde wijs), the indicative mood (aantonende wijs), the imperative mood (gebiedende wijs) and the conjunctive mood (aanvoegende wijs). The conjunctive mood also comprises the optative mood (wensende wijs) and the conditional mood (voorwaardelijke wijs).

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 written 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 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] This mood is also called the optative mood. 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:

  • Ik hoop dat hij op tijd kome. (I hope he will come on time - In English the dependent clause that follows the verb "to hope" is always in an indicative mood.)
  • Hij wenst dat er eendracht tussen ons zij. (He wishes that there be unity among us.)
  • Zorg dat dit geschiede.
  • Hij smeekte dat de misdadiger gestraft wierde.

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

  • Lang leven de kinderen! (Long live the children!)
  • Mogen zij in vrede rusten. (May they rest in peace.)
  • Het ga je goed! (May things go well for you!)
  • God zegene en beware je. (May God bless and save you.)
  • Het geluk zij met u! (May the luck be with you!)
  • Hiermede moge ik u berichten dat wij uw brief goed hebben ontvangen. (I may inform you that we have received your letter.)
  • Ware hij toch verstandiger geweest! (I wish he would have been wiser!)

Several verbs are frequently used in the subjunctive mood to express a wish:

  • Gelieve(n): Gelieve rekening te houden met mijn situatie.
  • Verzoeke(n): Hij verzoeke je spoedig te antwoorden.
  • Verblijve(n): Ik verblijve met hoogachting.

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.

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:

  • Ware hij koning... (If he were king...)
  • Hadde hij de kracht gehad... (If he would have had the strength...)
  • Vinde ik hem, ik zou... (If I would find him, I would...)
  • Ware de hulp op tijd gekomen, dan was de ramp niet geschied. (If help would have arrived in time, the disaster would not have occurred.)
  • Leefde hij nog, ik zou... (If he were still alive, I would...)
  • Hij ware een rijk man geworden, hadde hij langer geleefd. (He would have become a rich man if he had lived longer - the first sentence contains a subjunctive that expresses a doubt, see below.)
  • Sloege ik hem dood, ik dede een zonde. (If I would have hit him to death, I would have committed a sin.)

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:

  • Mits: Ik wil haar graag in mijn huis ontvangen mits ze niet voor morgen kome.
  • Tenzij: Als je niet tevreden bent, tenzij ik je vraag beantwoorde, weet dan nu al dat ik dat niet doen zal.

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:

  • Al kwame hij nu, hij zou reeds te laat zijn. (Even if he would come now, he would be too late)
  • Ik vrees dat hij reeds overleden zij. (I fear that she would already have died.)
  • Ik twijfel of u daaraan wel voldoende moeite besteed hebbe. (I doubt that you have spent enough effort.)
  • Hij ware een rijk man geworden, hadde hij langer geleefd. (He would have become a rich man if he had lived longer - the second sentence contains a subjunctive that expresses a condition, see above.)

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

  • Of: Ik twijfel of hij mijn vriend wel zij.
  • Alsof: Het leek alsof hij op nieuw jong geworden ware.

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

Concession

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

  • Hij ga waar hij wil. (He can go wherever he wants)
  • Wie hij ook zij. (Whoever he may be.)
  • Wat hij ook moge doen. (Whatever he may do.)
  • Hoe het ook zij. (However it may be.)
  • Ik ben het met zijn standpunten eens, zij het niet geheel van harte.

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

  • Hoewel: Hoewel hij een graag gezien figuur ware, besteedde hij niet veel aandacht aan zijn vrienden. (While he was popular, he did not spend a lot of time with his friends.)
  • Ofschoon or schoon: Hij zoude niet genoeg hebben, schoon hij een miljoen frank bezate. (He wouldn't have enough, though he had a million francs.)

Recommendation

The subjunctive can express a recommendation. Normally the 3rd person is used.

  • U neme drie eieren. (You should take three eggs.)
  • De lezer bedenke wel dat dit boek vijftig jaar geleden geschreven is. (The reader should keep in mind that this book has been written fifty years ago.)
  • Men zegge het voort. (One should tell others.)
  • Men herleze mijn brief. (One should reread my letter.)
  • De gebruiker lette hierop. (The user should take note of this.)

Purpose

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

  • Opdat: Ik zal hem helpen opdat hij zijn doel bereike.
  • Ten einde: De boer vraagt naar regen ten einde zijn akker besproeid worde.

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:

  • Gebeure wat gebeuren zal.
  • Kome wat komen zal.
  • Koste wat het kost.
  • Redde wie zich redden kan.

Formal and religious language

Some examples:[10]

  • Lord's Prayer: Onze Vader Die in de Hemelen zijt, geheiligd zij Uw Naam, Uw Rijk kome, Uw Wil geschiede op aarde als in de Hemel. (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.)
  • Oath phrase: Zo waarlijk helpe mij God almachtig.

Set words

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

  • Dankzij from "dank zij" (thanks to)
  • Hetzij from "het zij" (either)
  • Tenzij from "ten zij" (unless)
  • Godbetert from "God betere 't".
  • Godverdomme from "God verdoeme (het)" (Goddamn(it))
  • Godzijdank. from "God zij dank".

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

See also

References

  • In the past the word Nederduits (Low German) was often used interchangeably with Nederlands (Dutch). The below books treat Dutch and not Low German grammar.
  1. ^ De Nieuwe Taalgids. Jaargang 3, 1909, p. 181 [1]
  2. ^ Template:Nl Dr. W. G. BRILL, Nederlandsche spraakleer, p. 346. [2]
  3. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst, p. 147. [3]
  4. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. [4]
  5. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 134. [5]
  6. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. [6]
  7. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, p. 147 [7]
  8. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. [8]
  9. ^ Template:Nl P. WEILAND, Nederduitsche spraakkunst ten dienste der scholen, p. 289. [9]
  10. ^ Template:Nl Faculteit der Letteren, Radboud Universiteit, Aanvoegende wijs (conjunctief) [10]
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