Tutor: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to today’s English Class.
Today, we’ll run a quick test of English on Subjunctive Mood.
Here are the questions;
- If I ………. you, I rather would said they’re indifferent.
a. was b. were
- It’s high time we ……. our children sex education.
a. taught b. teaching c. teach
Welcome to class!
Student A: Good morning, Sir. Welcome.
The answers are:
- B
- C
Student B: Tomi, why the rush? Are you an advocate? Why not wait for our Pedagogy to decide.
Student A: I don’t understand you. The questions were directed to everyone in the Class. So, which one is advocacy?
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Tutor: I’m not too comfortable with the fact that the both of you are exchanging words right before me. Meanwhile, why have others refused to try it out?
Tomi already gave his own answers to the questions above. However, the answers are – ‘were’ and ‘taught’ respectively.
Why are the answers in the past tense?, the curious mind may ask.
It is so, because subjunctive mood changes the verb of a sentence where it appears in past tense and in plural forms. Therefore, we would say:
- If I were you, I rather would said they’re indifferent.
- It’s high time we taught our children sex education.
PS: In the case of question 2, especially whenever the sentence starts with ‘It is high time…’ or ‘It’s time…’, the corresponding verbs should be in the past tense.
Other things being equal, Emmanuel (Student B), please do not refer to a person as Pedagogy – it is neither a proper or common noun. The word Pedagogy is an uncountable noun.
Pedagogy means the profession of teaching; pedagogy isn’t same as a teacher. I hope we got my points.
May God continue to help us as we thrive towards dexterity.
Students: (All Chorus) Amen! Thanks, Sir.
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Tutor: Before I leave…
With regard to those who still jump INTO conclusions, it is not a well, “biko.”
You can only jump TO conclusions.
For instance;
Mr. Rabiu likes jumping into conclusions. ✖
But say: Mr. Rabiu likes jumping to conclusions.✔
Student C: Sir! What if it’s to be rendered in the past tense?
Would it be correct to say:
Mr. Saliu has jumped to conclusion?
Tutor: Whenever it should be used, ‘has’ shouldn’t precede ‘jump’.
Rather say: Mr. Saliu jumped to conclusions without considering the position of the lawyer.
Good day, Class!
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