pomognem

Pomognem is a verb form found in South Slavic languages, primarily Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. It is the first-person singular present subjunctive (often used in dependent clauses introduced by da or neka) of the verb pomagati/pomoći, which means “to help.” The form is used to express wishes, intentions, or hypothetical actions, rather than a simple, factual present.

Etymology and morphology: pomognem derives from the root of pomoć, meaning “help,” with the verb stem associated with the infinitive pomoći/pomoći. The present subjunctive paradigm includes pomognem (I may help), pomogneš (you may help), pomogne (he/she may help), pomognemo (we may help), pomognete (you may help), pomognu (they may help). The exact spelling and usage can vary slightly by standard (Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian), but the subjunctive form pomognem is widely recognized in all three.

Usage: pomognem is used in subordinate clauses expressing necessity, desire, or possibility, typically after the conjunction da or in certain modal constructions. Examples:

- Želim da pomognem. (I want to help.)

- Želim da mi pomogneš. (I want you to help me.)

- Da mu pomognem, moram brzo reagovati. (In order to help him, I must react quickly.)

In everyday speech, speakers often rely on other grammatical constructions, but pomognem remains standard in formal writing and careful speech.

See also: pomoći, pomoć, subjunctive mood in Serbo-Croatian languages.

Note: While pomognem is specific to the subjunctive, related forms exist for other persons (pomogneš, pomogne, pomognemo, pomognete, pomognu) to complete the paradigm.