Irrealis moods¶
Subjunctive¶
The subjunctive is perhaps the most striking example of language moving away from the “here and now” of factual assertion
Carries a sense of pressure or ”ought-to-be-ness.
“Modal distance” between the speaker and the proposition
Focuses on the necessity of an event occurring rather than the event itself.
Regulatory, procedural, intentional.
Condition must be met
It is necessary that the winner be chosen by lot.”
There is one area where the subjunctive touches the idea of “chance,” but even here, it is framed through prevention rather than “luck.” Contingency-as-requirement
We must act now, lest the opportunity be lost to history (structurl failure and sure consequence)
Conditional¶
Event depends upon another condition.
Optative¶
Event is hoped, expected, or awaited.
Jussive¶
Event is pleaded, implored or asked.
Potential¶
Event is probable or considered likely
Imperative/Prohibitive¶
Event is directly ordered or requested by the speaker.
Event is directly prohibited by the speaker.
Desiderative¶
Event is desired/wished by a participant in the state of affairs referred to in the utterance
Dubitative¶
Event is uncertain, doubtful, dubious.
Hypothetical¶
Event is hypothetical, or it is counterfactual, but possible
Presumptive¶
Event is assumed, presupposed by the speaker.
Permissive¶
Event is permitted by the speaker
Hortative¶
Event is exhorted, implored, insisted or encouraged by speaker.
Eventive¶
Event is likely but depends upon a condition; a combination of the potential and conditional.
Preactive¶
Event is requested by the speaker.
Volitive¶
Event is desired, wished or feared by the speaker
Interrogative¶
Event is asked or questioned by the speaker
Benedictive¶
Event is requested or wished by the speaker in a polite or honorific fashion.
Concessive¶
Event is presupposed or admitted as part of a refutation.
Prescriptive¶
Event is prescribed by the speaker (though not demanded), but with the expectation that it will occur.
Apprehensive¶
Event is warned against happening.