In
parsing, the verbs in such constructions may be treated as indicative or
potential, with a subjunctive meaning.
The offices of the different mode and tense forms are constantly
interchanging; a classification based strictly on meaning would be very
difficult, and would confuse the learner.]
IMPERATIVE MODE.[4]
PRESENT TENSE.
Singular. Plural.
2. /Pres./ (you or thou); 2. /Pres./ (you or ye).
[Footnote 4: From such forms as _Let us sing, Let them talk_, some
grammarians make a first and a third person imperative. But _us_ is not the
subject of the verb-phrase _let-sing_, and _let_ is not of the first
person. _Us_ is the object complement of _let_, and the infinitive _sing_
is the objective complement, having us for its assumed subject.
Some would find a first and a third person imperative in such sentences as
"Now tread _we_ a measure"; "_Perish_ the _thought_." But these verbs
express strong wish or desire and by some grammarians are called "optative
subjunctives." "Perish the thought" = "May the thought perish," or "I
desire that the thought may perish," or "Let the thought perish."]
INFINITIVES.
PRESENT TENSE. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE.
(To)[5] /Pres.
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