The Use of the Conditional Mood

The Conditional mood is used:

1) in the principal clause of a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of unreal condition or concession.

If I were you I should never do this.

•Even if he had been there he wouldn't have changed anything.

2) in compound sentences (mostly with the conjunctions "otherwise'', "or", "but", "or else"):

I am very busy, otherwise I should go with you.

The boy would study well, but he is often ill.

3) in simple sentences with implied condition:

I should like to speak to vou. (If I got a chance.)

4) in simple sentences with the expression "but for".

But for the moon it would be quite dark now.

The Old Present Subjunctive

The Old Present Subjunctive has only one form which is a homonym of the infinitive. The main meaning of the Old Present Subjunctive is to express a problematic action not as a real fact but as a wish, supposition, smth desirable, but not contrary to reality.

The use of the Old Present Subjunctive is limited. It can be found in the following cases:

1) in a few set expressions rendering wish or concession:

Wish I. Success attend you! - Да сопутствует вам успех!

2. God bless you! - Благослови тебя Господь!

3. God save the king! - Боже, царя храни!

4. Be you happy! - Будьте счастливь!

5. Long live our friendship! - Да здравствует наша дружба!

6. Damn you! Curse you! - Будьте вы прокляты!

Concession 1. Come what may come. – Будь, что будет.

2. Be it as it is. - Пусть будет так, как есть.

3. So be it. - Да будет так.

2) It is a bookish style. It may be found in official and scientific articles and in poetry (after words expressing necessity, wish, demands such as "to insist", "to demand", "to require"):

The doctor insisted that the boy remain in bed.

I demand he do the job.

The regulation is that manuscripts be written on one side only.