II. Both tenses of the suppositional mood are used in the following patterns:

1. In subject clauses of the kind:

		understandable
		natural
		characteristic		smb should do smth
		surprising	that
	is	strange, odd		smth should have done smth
It		doubtful
	was	impossible
		unpleasant
		a pity
		a shame
		essential
		inevitable

It is natural that he should accept the offer.

Note: with the expressions «it is possible», «it is probable», «it is likely»

«may + infinitive» is used:

It is possible (probable, likely) that he may come tomorrow.

2. In object clauses in the pattern:

		natural
		strange
think		curious		smb should do smth
believe	it	odd	that	smth should be done
consider		pleasant		smb should have done
find		unpleasant		smth should have been done
		possible
		impossible

He believed it impossible that anybody should have coped with the task.

3. In object clauses after the expressions be astonished, etc.:

be astonished		smb should do smth
be surprised		smth should be done
be sorry	that	smb should have done smth
be pleased		smth should have been done
be grieved

I was pleased that she should have mentioned my book.

4. In attributive clauses modifying the nouns fear, worry, anxiety, dread after the conjunction lest:

have	fear		smb should do smth
express	worry	lest	smth should be done
feel	dread		smb should have done smth
	anxiety		smth should have been done

She had a constant fear lest something should happen to her son.

but:

have	fear		smb may/ might do smth
express	worry	that
feel	dread		smb may/might have done smth
	anxiety

She had a constant fear that something might happen.

5. In predicative clauses introduced by the conjunction lest after the nouns fear, etc.:

fear	is		smb should do smth
worry	was	lest	smth should be done
dread	will be		smb should have done smth
anxiety			smth should have been done

Her only fear is lest she should be mistaken.

but:

fear	is		smb may/ might do smth
worry	was	that
dread	will be		smb may/might have dome smth
anxiety

Her only worry is/was that there may/might be something wrong.

The Suppositional Mood is used:

1. In indirect questions beginning with why (Subjunctive I is possible but rare):

Nobody could explain why he should have done so.

2. Modifying the noun regret:

She expressed her regret that things should have taken a bad turn.

3. Modifying the noun time:

It is high / about time you should go.

note: Subjunctive II is in more common use here:

It is time we went home.

4. In conditional clauses when the fulfilment of the condition is unlikely though possible:

If I should meet her tomorrow I should / shall speak to her.

subjunctive I is used:

1. After the conjunction unless in the language of official documents:

The tariff shall apply to all merchandise shipped to all ports unless they be free ports.

2. In indirect questions beginning with if / whether and depending on expressions of negative or doubtful meaning:

We cannot tell if it be true.

Subjunctive II

•Subjunctive II represents an action as contrary to reality:

e.g. I wish he were with us (my desire contradicts the actual state of things - he is not with us).

•Subjunctive II has two tenses: the present and the past.

The present Subjunctive is homonymous with the Past Indefinite or Past Continuous.

The past Subjunctive II is homonymous with the Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous .

•The verb be has the form were for all persons: e.g. he, she it were, I were.