Swedish Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood in Swedish is used to express uncertainty, doubt, or a state that is contrary to fact. It is typically used in dependent clauses following certain conjunctions or verbs. In this guide, we will explore the usage of the subjunctive mood in Swedish and provide examples to help you understand its function.

When to Use the Subjunctive Mood

1. Expressing wishes or desires: The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, desires, or preferences that may not be a reality.

   • Jag önskar att du vore här.
   • I wish you were here.

2. Expressing hypothetical situations: The subjunctive mood is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations.

   • Om jag hade mycket pengar, skulle jag resa jorden runt.
   • If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

3. Expressing doubts or uncertainty: The subjunctive mood can also be used to express doubts, uncertainties, or possibilities.

   • Jag tvivlar på att han kommer i tid.
   • I doubt that he will come on time.

4. Polite requests: The subjunctive mood is used in polite requests, often with the verb "vänligen" (please) or "snälla" (please).

   • Kan du vara snäll och stänga dörren?
   • Could you please close the door?

Forming the Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood in Swedish is formed by changing the verb form from its normal indicative form. The changes are similar to those in the past tense, but there are some differences. Here are the general rules for forming the subjunctive mood:

1. Regular verbs:

   • For regular verbs, the subjunctive mood is formed by adding "-e" to the verb stem.
   • For example:
     • Indicative: går (goes)
     • Subjunctive: gåe (would go)

2. Irregular verbs:

   • Irregular verbs have different forms in the subjunctive mood. You will need to learn the specific forms for each irregular verb.
   • For example:
     • Indicative: har (have)
     • Subjunctive: hade (would have)

Common Conjunctions and Verb Phrases for Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood in Swedish is often used in dependent clauses following certain conjunctions or verb phrases. Here are some common examples:

1. Conjunctions:

   • "Om" (if)
   • "Att" (that)
   • "Så att" (so that)
   • "Innan" (before)
   • "Ifall" (in case)

   Example:

   • "Jag undrar om du vet svaret." (I wonder if you know the answer.)

2. Verb phrases:

   • "Jag önskar att" (I wish that)
   • "Jag tvivlar på att" (I doubt that)
   • "Jag hoppas att" (I hope that)
   • "Det är möjligt att" (It is possible that)

   Example:

   • "Jag hoppas att du kommer på festen." (I hope that you will come to the party.)

Conclusion

The subjunctive mood in Swedish is used to express uncertainty, doubt, or a state that is contrary to fact. It is formed by changing the verb form from its normal indicative form. It is used in dependent clauses following certain conjunctions or verb phrases. By understanding the usage and formation of the subjunctive mood, you will be able to express your thoughts and feelings more accurately in Swedish.