_Singular_. _Plural_.
1. If I love, 1. If we love,
2. If thou lovest, 2. If ye _or_ you love,
3. If he loves, 3. If they love.
The following general rule will direct you when to use the _conjunctive_
form of the verb, and when the _indicative_. When a verb in the
subjunctive mood, present tense, has a _future_ signification, or a
reference to _future_ time, the conjunctive form should be used; as, "If
thou _prosper_, thou shouldst be thankful;" "He will maintain his
principles, though he _lose_ his estate;" that is, If thou _shalt_ or
_shouldst_ prosper; though he _shall_ or _should_ lose, &c. But when a
verb in the subjunctive mood, present tense, has _no_ reference to
future time, the indicative form ought to be used; as, "Unless he
_means_ what he says, he is doubly faithless." By this you perceive,
that when a verb in the present tense of the subjunctive mood, has a
future signification, an _auxiliary_ is always understood before it, for
which reason, in this construction, the termination of the principal
verb never varies; us, "He will not become eminent, unless he _exert_
himself;" that is, unless he _shall_ exert, or _should_ exert himself.
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