The subjunctive is used in a number of fixed phrases, relics from an older form of the language where it was much more common. Some could be misconstrued as the imperative mood. Common examples are:
as it were
if I were you; were I you
be that as it may
(God) bless you!
come Monday (Tuesday, etc.)
come what may
(God) damn it!
far be it from (or for) me
till death do us part
God save our gracious Queen; long live our noble Queen.
Heaven forfend/forbid
so be it
suffice it to say
woe betide
peace be with you
long live the king
the powers that be
albeit (a synthesis of all be it)
truth be told
woe worth the day
would that it were
No comments:
Post a Comment