Conditional vs. Subjunctive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 30, 2023
The conditional expresses events based on a condition, while the subjunctive indicates hypotheticals, desires, or uncertain events.
Difference Between Conditional and Subjunctive
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
The conditional and subjunctive moods are integral to conveying different nuances in the English language. The conditional is used to express events or actions that are dependent upon a certain condition or conditions. In contrast, the subjunctive mood conveys hypothetical situations, desires, emotions, doubt, possibility, or necessity.
For the conditional, it often employs words like "if," "unless," or "when," setting up a scenario that hinges on a particular circumstance. For instance, "If it rains, we will stay home." Here, staying home is contingent on the occurrence of rain. The subjunctive, on the other hand, might be used to express wishes, suggestions, or hypothetical scenarios. An example would be, "I wish that he be on time."
In English, the conditional can often be recognized by the use of would, could, or should, especially when paired with a verb. "She would go if she had the time." The subjunctive, conversely, sometimes involves the base form of a verb, such as in the expression, "It's essential that she arrive early."
Despite their unique applications, both the conditional and subjunctive moods allow for a more intricate expression of thought and feeling. Where the conditional creates a direct link between a condition and its result, the subjunctive delves into the realm of the hypothetical and the desired.
Mastery of both the conditional and subjunctive moods empowers a speaker or writer to effectively communicate various states of reality and unreality, bridging the gap between what is concrete and what remains in the realm of possibility or wish.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Expresses events based on conditions
Indicates hypotheticals, desires, or uncertainties
Key Words
If, would, could, should
Wish, if, as if, that
Usage
Often deals with cause and effect
Deals with non-real or doubtful scenarios
Verb Form Example
"She would run"
"I suggest that she run"
Context
Real but dependent on condition
Often unreal, hypothetical, or desired
Compare with Definitions
Conditional
Indicates probable actions or results from specific conditions.
If it's sunny, we should go hiking.
Subjunctive
Indicates non-real, desired, or doubtful situations.
She asked that he leave immediately.
Conditional
Typically uses "would," "could," or "should" with verbs.
He would join if he could.
Subjunctive
Used to convey doubt, necessity, or unreality.
If he were richer, he'd buy a mansion.
Conditional
Deals with scenarios dependent on particular circumstances.
We could travel unless there's a lockdown.
Subjunctive
A mood for hypotheticals, wishes, or emotions.
I wish he were here.
Conditional
Often used with "if" to introduce the condition.
She'd call if she had the time.
Subjunctive
Often uses the base form of verbs.
It's crucial that she be informed.
Conditional
Imposing, depending on, or containing a condition.
Subjunctive
Can be identified in contexts of recommendations or desires.
I suggest that he take the job.
Conditional
(Grammar) Stating, containing, or implying a condition.
Subjunctive
Of, relating to, or being a mood of a verb used in some languages for contingent or hypothetical action, action viewed subjectively, or grammatically subordinate statements.
Conditional
(Psychology) Brought about by conditioning.
Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood.
Conditional
A mood, tense, clause, word, or morpheme expressing a condition. See Usage Note at if.
Subjunctive
A subjunctive construction. See Usage Note at if.
Conditional
Limited by a condition.
I made my son a conditional promise: I would buy him a bike if he kept his room tidy.
Subjunctive
Inflected to indicate that an act or state of being is possible, contingent or hypothetical, and not a fact.
Conditional
(logic) Stating that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional statement.
Subjunctive
Ellipsis of subjunctive mood
Conditional
(grammar) Expressing a condition or supposition.
A conditional word, mode, or tense
Subjunctive
(countable) A form in the subjunctive mood.
Conditional
(grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.
Subjunctive
Subjoined or added to something before said or written.
Conditional
(grammar) The conditional mood.
Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood; also, a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Conditional
(logic) A statement that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional.
Subjunctive
A mood that represent an act or state (not as a fact but) as contingent or possible
Conditional
(programming) An instruction that branches depending on the truth of a condition at that point.
if and while are conditionals in some programming languages.Subjunctive
Relating to a mood of verbs;
Subjunctive verb endings
Conditional
A condition a limitation or restriction.
Conditional
Containing, implying, or depending on, a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or granted on certain terms; as, a conditional promise.
Every covenant of God with man . . . may justly be made (as in fact it is made) with this conditional punishment annexed and declared.
Conditional
Expressing a condition or supposition; as, a conditional word, mode, or tense.
A conditional proposition is one which asserts the dependence of one categorical proposition on another.
The words hypothetical and conditional may be . . . used synonymously.
Conditional
A limitation.
Conditional
A conditional word, mode, or proposition.
Disjunctives may be turned into conditionals.
Conditional
Qualified by reservations
Conditional
Imposing or depending on or containing a condition;
Conditional acceptance of the terms
Lent conditional support
The conditional sale will not be complete until the full purchase price is paid
Conditional
A mood expressing actions based on conditions.
If she studies, she'll pass the test.
Common Curiosities
Does the conditional always require "if"?
No, the conditional often uses "if," but can also use words like "unless" or "when."
Does the subjunctive always deal with unreal scenarios?
Mostly, but it can also express wishes, emotions, or doubts.
Is "would" always an indicator of the conditional mood?
Often, but not always. Context is crucial, as "would" can be used in other ways too.
Is the subjunctive mood common in modern English?
It's less common in everyday conversation but is still used for formal contexts, hypotheticals, and wishes.
Are there different types of conditionals?
Yes, including the zero, first, second, third, and mixed conditionals, each expressing different levels of probability.
Are modals like "could" or "should" exclusive to the conditional?
No, they're commonly used in the conditional but can appear in other contexts too.
Is "were" in "If I were you" a subjunctive form?
Yes, "were" is used subjunctively here to indicate a hypothetical situation.
Why is it "I wish she were" instead of "I wish she was"?
"Were" is the subjunctive form, used to indicate wishes or hypotheticals.
Why use the subjunctive "If I were" instead of "If I was"?
The subjunctive form emphasizes hypothetical or non-real situations, making "were" preferable in such contexts.
Is the conditional mood only about possible events?
Mostly, but some conditionals, like the third conditional, refer to impossible past events.
Can the conditional be used without specifying a condition?
Occasionally, context might imply the condition, but typically, the condition is stated.
Can the subjunctive appear without words like "wish" or "suggest"?
Yes, it might appear in contexts of necessity, doubt, or hypotheticals without those specific words.
Is "that" always needed in subjunctive structures?
Often, but not always. "I suggest he leave" is also correct.
Does the conditional mood always indicate a future event?
No, it can refer to present or past events, depending on the type of conditional.
How can one identify a conditional sentence?
Look for condition-result structures, often using "if" and modals like "would" or "could."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Yin vs. Yang
Next Comparison
Boeing vs. AirbusAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
