Subjunctive (संभावनार्थ)
Quick Answer: Subjunctive = verb stem + ऊँ (I), ए (he/she/you-तुम), एँ (we/they/you-आप). No auxiliary verb. Used for possibility, wishes, and softened commands.
Possibility, wishes, and polite suggestions
Category: Verb Forms
The Rule
Subjunctive = verb stem + ऊँ (I), ए (he/she/you-तुम), एँ (we/they/you-आप). No auxiliary verb. Used for possibility, wishes, and softened commands.
Why This Matters
English mostly lost its subjunctive ('If I were...'). Hindi uses it actively for suggestions ('Let's go' = चलें), permission ('May I sit?' = क्या मैं बैठूँ?), and purpose clauses. English speakers often use indicative where Hindi requires subjunctive.
Examples
• Let me think. — "मुझे सोचने दो। / मैं सोचूँ।" [सोच + ऊँ (1st person subjunctive)] • May I come in? — "क्या मैं अंदर आऊँ?" [आ + ऊँ (1st person subjunctive for permission)] • Let's go. — "चलें।" [चल + एँ (1st person plural subjunctive)] • I want him to come. — "मैं चाहता हूँ कि वह आए।" [आ + ए (3rd person subjunctive after कि)]
Common Mistakes
❌ मैं चाहता हूँ कि वह आता है ✅ मैं चाहता हूँ कि वह आए → After कि (that) expressing wish/desire, use subjunctive आए, not indicative आता है ❌ क्या मैं अंदर आता हूँ? ✅ क्या मैं अंदर आऊँ? → For permission questions, use subjunctive ऊँ, not habitual present
Quick Tip
Subjunctive has NO auxiliary (no है/हूँ/हैं). If you see a bare stem+ending with no helper verb, it's likely subjunctive.
Subjunctive has NO auxiliary (no है/हूँ/हैं). If you see a bare stem+ending with no helper verb, it's likely subjunctive.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: मैं चाहता हूँ कि वह आता है → Correct: मैं चाहता हूँ कि वह आए. After कि (that) expressing wish/desire, use subjunctive आए, not indicative आता है
Incorrect: क्या मैं अंदर आता हूँ? → Correct: क्या मैं अंदर आऊँ?. For permission questions, use subjunctive ऊँ, not habitual present
Quiz
How do you say 'Let's eat'?