The difference between subjunctive mood and second conditional
Could anybody explain to me the difference between these two?

For example, I found this sentence online:
"If he were rich, he'd buy ten yachts".

It says this is "subjunctive mood" but I don't see why it couldn't also be second conditional.

Thanks in advance!

Question

The difference between subjunctive mood and second conditional
Could anybody explain to me the difference between these two?

For example, I found this sentence online:
"If he were rich, he'd buy ten yachts".

It says this is "subjunctive mood" but I don't see why it couldn't also be second conditional.

Thanks in advance!

Answer

There are 3 moods in English.  The indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.  The second conditional is a structure that falls under the term "subjunctive".  There are also different forms of subjunctive.  The synthetic and analytical subjunctive, which you may want to research.

Think of "subjunctive" like an umbrella term with "second conditional" being under it.

Answers · 2

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