Subjunctif (English "Congiuntivo")
Like other languages, English has what we call Congiuntivo. It's a not-so-common verb form, but not at all as rare as we can imagine.
The "snag" is that it's rather "invisible" to the ear when used, except with the verb to be, when it can be easily spotted.
It is used, as in Italian, with verbs that imply anticipation, or a wish, imagining/guessing, or a suggestion: advise, guess, order, imagine, think, believe, wish and so on.
It is formed with the infinitive form of a verb without the particle to. Let's see some examples:
- It's necessary that she eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
- I'd never have imagined him be so confident
- They need him quit drinking or he will get fired
It couldn't be easier to learn actually: For any verb, the present simple is formed avoiding to add the -s with the third singular person; with the verb be it's.
I be
you be
he/she/it be
we be
you be
they be.
In case of past subjunctif, it is used were, for all persons.
Using it is as easy as a perfect way to use English appropriately and be positively noticed by native speaker, who usually anticipate its non-use by a foreigner and would not correct it. As ever, the problem is not being corrected :looksi:
More examples can be found searching with google, but it's really that simple :)