Subjunctive Forms

Level 3

Compare کروں, کرو, کرے and کریں.

How It Works

میں کروں can be used by a masculine or feminine speaker. تم takes کرو; a non-honorific singular وہ takes کرے; ہم and respectful آپ take کریں.

Common irregular forms include دوں, لوں and ہوں for the speaker. Learn them with their verbs rather than adding the same ending mechanically to every stem.

The construction around the verb explains its purpose. A question may ask permission, a شاید clause may express possibility, and a کہ clause may express a desired action. Negation commonly uses نہ.

Examples (4)

  1. کیا میں یہاں بیٹھوں؟

    May I sit here?

    بیٹھوں asks permission for the speaker, without marking gender.

  2. شاید مریم جواب دے۔

    Perhaps Maryam will reply.

    دے is the singular subjunctive of دینا.

  3. ممکن ہے کہ ہم کل ملیں۔

    It is possible that we will meet tomorrow.

    ہم selects the plural form ملیں.

  4. میں چاہتی ہوں کہ آپ رکیں۔

    I want you to stay.

    The main verb marks the speaker feminine; رکیں marks respectful address.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a singular subjunctive with respectful آپ.

    میں چاہتی ہوں کہ آپ رکے۔
    میں چاہتی ہوں کہ آپ رکیں۔

    Respectful آپ selects رکیں. The speaker’s gender does not change that ending.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Subjunctive FormsLevel 3

Learn This First

Recognize person-based verb forms and contrast the future with an open possibility.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 2 more in the full list.