CHAPTER XXI.
ON MOODS.
[§ 356]. The Anglo-Saxon infinitive has already been considered.
[§ 357]. Between the second plural imperative, and the second plural indicative, speak ye and ye speak, there is no difference of form. Between the second singular imperative speak, and the second singular indicative, speakest, there is a difference in form. Still, as the imperative form speak is distinguished from the indicative form speakest by the negation of a character rather than by the possession of one, it cannot be said that there is in English any imperative mood.
[§ 358]. If he speak, as opposed to if he speaks, is characterised by a negative sign only, and consequently is no true example of a subjunctive. Be, as opposed to am, in the sentence if it be so, is an uninflected word used in a limited sense, and consequently no true example of a subjunctive.
The only true subjunctive inflection in the English language is that of were and wert, as opposed to the indicative forms was and wast.
| Indicative. | Subjunctive. | ||
| Singular. | Plural. | Singular. | Plural. |
| 1. I was. | We were. | If I were. | If we were. |
| 2. Thou wast. | Ye were. | If thou wert. | If ye were. |
| 3. He was. | They were. | If he were. | If they were. |