On the Use of the Subjunctive with English Hope

The present paper describes how the structure of a particular expression ‘hope’ (e.g., I hope that x vs. My is that/would be x), as well presence or absence an additional modal element would, might, may, could, can, should), can influence speaker subject’s perceived investment in commitment to proposition’s materialization and, consequently, (un)acceptability subordinate clause appearing subjunctive. Since, unlike want, tends associated with desires result from careful and thoughtful reasoning Portner & Rubinstein, 2012), standard use indicative embedded complement not unexpected. I, however, explain more irrealis (i.e., conditional, hypothetical, unreal, uncertain, visceral thus, likely product reasoning) statement considered (as manifested by diminished sense possible fulfillment), acceptable subjunctive becomes.