Subjunctive vs. Optative — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 4, 2024
Subjunctive expresses possibilities, desires, or hypotheticals, while optative conveys wishes and potential outcomes.
Difference Between Subjunctive and Optative
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
The subjunctive mood in English grammar is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized; it often appears in conditional sentences. Whereas, the optative mood, less common in English, is used primarily to express wishes or hopes, and it's more explicitly marked in other languages such as Ancient Greek.
In English, the subjunctive is typically marked by the use of the base form of the verb, such as in "If I were you..." which shows a hypothetical situation. On the other hand, the optative mood in English can sometimes be recognized by expressions like "May you have a long life" where the word "may" suggests a wish.
The use of the subjunctive can often be seen in formal writing or in constructed scenarios, which can involve imagination or unreal situations. Meanwhile, the optative is usually confined to very formal or literary contexts, especially in set phrases or in ceremonial language.
The subjunctive also appears in demands or suggestions, as in "The teacher demands that he be on time," where "be" indicates the subjunctive mood. Conversely, the optative is rarely used in everyday conversation in English, but when it is, it's almost exclusively in the form of a wish or blessing.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Expresses hypothetical conditions
Expresses wishes or hopes
ADVERTISEMENT
Usage in English
Common in formal, conditional scenarios
Rare, mostly in literary contexts
Examples
If I were, He requests that she be
May you succeed, Would that it were
Grammatical Context
Demands, suggestions, hypotheticals
Ceremonial language, blessings
Typical Expressions
Were, be (as commands)
May, would that (in wishes)
Compare with Definitions
Subjunctive
Used for making suggestions or demands.
It's crucial that he find the document.
Optative
A mood used to express wishes, hopes, or possibilities.
May you live to see your grandchildren.
Subjunctive
A mood used to express hypotheticals or conditions contrary to fact.
If she were here, she would be surprised.
Optative
Rarely used in modern English, more common in ancient languages.
Would that my love could reach her.
Subjunctive
Appears in dependent clauses following verbs that express necessity or request.
I suggest that Lisa be invited.
Optative
Often employs modal verbs to express wishes.
May you have a happy marriage.
Subjunctive
Indicates unreal or imagined situations in past or present.
If I were president, I would change that law.
Optative
Found mostly in literary or high-register contexts.
O that we once again were young!
Subjunctive
Often found in formal or literary English.
Long live the king!
Optative
Sometimes appears in set phrases or blessings.
May the force be with you.
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.
Optative
Expressing a wish or choice.
Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood.
Optative
Of, relating to, or being a mood of verbs in some languages, such as Greek, used to express a wish.
Subjunctive
A subjunctive construction. See Usage Note at if.
Optative
Designating a statement using a verb in the subjunctive mood to indicate a wish or desire, as in Had I the means, I would do it.
Subjunctive
Inflected to indicate that an act or state of being is possible, contingent or hypothetical, and not a fact.
Optative
The optative mood.
Subjunctive
Ellipsis of subjunctive mood
Optative
A verb or an expression in the optative mood.
Subjunctive
(countable) A form in the subjunctive mood.
Optative
Expressing a wish or a choice.
Subjunctive
Subjoined or added to something before said or written.
Optative
(grammar) Related or pertaining to the optative mood.
Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood; also, a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Optative
(grammatical mood) A mood of verbs found in some languages (e.g. Sanskrit, Old Prussian, and Ancient Greek, but not English), used to express a wish.
Subjunctive
A mood that represent an act or state (not as a fact but) as contingent or possible
Optative
(grammar) A verb or expression in the optative mood.
Subjunctive
Relating to a mood of verbs;
Subjunctive verb endings
Optative
Expressing desire or wish.
Optative
Something to be desired.
Optative
The optative mood; also, a verb in the optative mood.
Optative
A mood (as in Greek or Sanskrit) that expresses a wish or hope; expressed in English by modal verbs
Optative
Indicating an option or wish
Optative
Relating to a mood of verbs in some languages;
Optative verb endings
Common Curiosities
Is the subjunctive mood still relevant in modern English?
Yes, it appears frequently in formal writing and specific verb structures.
What is the subjunctive mood used for in English?
It's used to discuss hypotheticals, unreal situations, and conditions contrary to fact.
How can you recognize the optative mood in English?
It's commonly marked by words like "may" or phrases that express a wish or hope.
Is the optative mood common in everyday English?
No, it's primarily found in literary texts or as part of fixed expressions.
What is the historical significance of the optative mood?
It was more prominent in classical languages and has philosophical and literary significance.
How does context affect the use of the subjunctive and optative moods?
Subjunctive is used in more varied contexts including wishes, whereas optative is almost exclusively for wishes.
What is the easiest way to form an optative sentence in English?
Using "may" followed by a verb, as in "May you find peace."
What are examples of the optative mood in languages other than English?
Ancient Greek has explicit optative forms used for wishes and hypothetical wishes.
Can the optative mood be expressed using modern English verbs?
Yes, through modal verbs like "might" or "may," which can lend an optative flavor.
Can the subjunctive and optative moods overlap in usage?
They can overlap in expressing hypotheticals, but the subjunctive is more broadly used for unreal conditions while the optative is specifically for wishes.
What verbs typically follow the subjunctive mood in English?
Verbs like suggest, recommend, demand, and insist often trigger the subjunctive.
How does the subjunctive mood affect verb forms in English?
It often uses the base form of the verb or "were" instead of "was."
How do the subjunctive and optative moods differ in their connotations?
The subjunctive often has a practical, sometimes authoritative tone, while the optative is more poetic and wistful.
Does the subjunctive mood have any equivalents in other languages?
Many languages have a subjunctive mood, but its usage and form can vary widely.
Are there any other moods in English that express hypotheticals?
The conditional mood also deals with hypothetical situations but is distinct from the subjunctive.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Prussia vs. Germany
Next Comparison
Impatiens vs. PeriwinkleAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-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.
