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.
[§ 292]. If he speak, as opposed to if he speaks, is characterized 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 a fresh word used in a limited sense, and consequently no true example of a subjunctive. It is a different word altogether, and is only the subjunctive of am, in the way puss is the vocative of cat.
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. | Singular. | Plural. | |
| 1. | I was. | If I were. | If we were. |
| 2. | Thou wast. | If thou wert. | If ye were. |
| 3. | He was. | If he were. | If they were. |
CHAPTER XXII.
ON TENSES IN GENERAL.
[§ 293]. The nature of tenses in general is best exhibited by reference to the Greek; since in that language they are more numerous, and more strongly marked than elsewhere.