optative Definition
expressing a wish or desire.
Using optative: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "optative" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
May you have a happy birthday!
Example
I wish I could go to the concert tonight.
Example
If only I had more time to finish this project.
Example
Would that it were so!
optative Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with optative
Example
In the optative mood, the verb 'be' is conjugated as 'were' regardless of the subject.
Example
The optative sentence 'May you have a safe journey!' is commonly used in farewell messages.
a phrase or word that expresses a wish or desire
Example
The optative expression 'if only' is often used to express regret or longing for something that cannot be changed.
Origins of optative
from Latin 'optativus', from 'optare' meaning 'to choose or wish'
Summary: optative in Brief
The term 'optative' [ˈɒptətɪv] refers to expressing a wish or desire. It is commonly used in phrases like 'May you have a happy birthday!' and 'Would that it were so!' The optative mood is a grammatical mood used to express wishes, hopes, or desires, while an optative sentence is a sentence that expresses a wish or desire.
