[Gllug] plurals

[Dylan]

On Thursday 19 June 2003 20:53, Jack Bertram wrote:
> * Pete Ryland <pdr at pdr.cx> [030619 20:26]:
> > Nowadays, the subjunctive form is the same as the past, so we would now
> > write:
> >
> > If he delighted in him, let him deliver him.
> >
> > Just like:
> >
> > If I was going to the shops, I'd bring you back some chocolate.
>
> This isn't a subjunctive.

Well, it depends how you say it. With _IF_ attracting primary stress, it has 
hypothetical force, OTOH with _WAS_ attracting primary stress it has negative 
force, so to that extent subjunctive resides in a stress pattern more than in 
a verbal conjugation rule.

Just to be fair - I should mention that I am a theoretical linguist 
specialising in English syntax and morphology. Sorry.

Dylan


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