II. The Subjunctive Mood

• In sentences of unreal condition referring to the present or future, we use the verb in the Past Simple Tense in the subordinate clause and the mood auxiliary would plus Infinitive in the Principal clause:

e.g. Would it bother you if I opened the window?

If you helped me, I would complete this assignement in time.

• The Subjunctive Mood can also be used in simple sentences:

e.g.If only he was (were)not so stubborn!

• The same thought can be expressed through the Present Subjunctive that coincides with the form of the bare Infinitive:

e.g. If you be in London, I advise you to visit the National Gallery.

• We can also express unreal condition referring to the present or future in some other ways:

e.g. 1. But for the rain, we should go to the country. – Якщо б не дощ, мі б поїхали за місто.

2. I’d rather we left next Monday. - По мені так краще нам їхати в наступний вівторок

3. We’d rather you arranged the party next week.- Нам би краще, щоб ти організував вечірку на наступному тижні.

4. I'd rather you didn't smoke – От як би ти не палив!

5. I’d rather take the bus to London - Краще б я поїхала у Лондон на автобусі.

6. I’d rather not play football on Saturday – Я б не дуже хотіла зіграти у футбол у суботу.

7. Suppose he wrote to you, would you answer? – Що, як він напише тобі, відповіси?

8. Ann would prefer to buy her own flat rather than rent one.- specific preference

9. I prefer watching videos to going to the cinema. – general preference

The Subjunctive Mood is also used:

a) in adverbial clauses of purpose. It’s introduced by the conjunctions so that, in order that and the mood auxiliary may(might):

e.g. She opens the window so that she may breathe fresh air.

b) in adverbial clauses of concession (поступки) with the conjunctions and connectives though, although, however, no matter, whatever, whoever

e.g. No matter how tired he may be he will go to the concert – Як би він не був стомлений, він піде на концерт.

Whatever exams he may take, he will always be successful.

I’d like to do some good to your husband, whoever he may be. – Я хотів би бути корисним Вам і Вашому чоловікові, хто б він не був.

c) in adverb.clauses of time and place with conjunctions whenever, wherever and mood auxil may:

e.g. Wherever they may live, they will always find friends.

Whenever you may come, you will always are welcome.

d) in adverbial clauses of comparison with conjunctions as if, as though:

e.g. She speaks to him as if he was her brother

e) in a predicative clause when the subject of the principal clause is expressed by an abstract noun: idea, wish, suggestion, aim, etc. In such clauses should is used:

e.g. One of the conditions was that I should go abroad.

f) in subject clauses after a principal clause of the type: It’s necessary, important… There should is also used: e.g. It is (was) important that he should come.

g) in object clauses:

1) after wish: I wish I were (was) a gypsy. – Жалко, що я не циганка. Хотіла б я бути циганкою!

2) if in the principal clause the predicate is expressed by the verb denoting fear, the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunctions lest and mood auxiliary should:

e.g. She fears (feared) lest her secret should be discovered. – Вона боялася, щоб про її секрет не довідалися.

3) If in the principal clause we find verbs denoting order, suggestion, advice, desire, we use the Present Subjunctive in the subordinate clause:

e.g. He orders (ordered) that everything be ready in an hour.

He is (was) anxious that everybody come home in time.

Mrs. Linton insisted that Isabella go to bed.

• In sentences of unreal condition referring to the past we usually use Past Perfect in the subordinate clause, would and the Perfect Infinitive in the principal clause:

e.g. If I had known about it before, I would have rung you up.

or Had I known about it before…

You said the party was so boring yesterday. Why didn't you leave? If I had been you, I would have left earlier .

• In object clauses after the verb “wish”we can use:

a) the Past Simple if the wish refers to no particular time, to the present or future:

e.g. I wish I were (was) a girl again.

She wished she were (was) free and could go with him.

He wishes Chaplin was still alive.

Mary wishes she had enough money to go to London.

b) the Past Perfect if the wish refers to the past:

e.g. I wish I had learnt these rules long ago – Жалко, що я не вивчила цих правил давно.

• Sometimes we use would in the subordinate clause. It's used in the sentences referring to the present or future if the subject of the subordinate clause differs from the subject of the principal clause:

e.g. I wish you would stay with me.

Would is usually used to express request or annoyance:

e.g. I wish this boy would take my luggage. – Я б хотіла, щоб цей хлопець взяв мій багаж.

I wish this man would mind his own business – Я б хотіла, щоб ця людина не лізла не в свою справу.

Ex.1. Fill in the correct form of the verbs in brackets and say what type of conditional each sentence contains:

1 If you had followed the directions correctly, you (not/get) lost.

2. If you shout, you (wake up) the baby.

3. If the gas board workers (detect) the leak, there wouldn't have been an explosion.

4 If the customer (follow) the shop assistant's advice, the dress wouldn't have shrunk.

5 If the rescue operation hadn't been carried out quickly, the residents of the building (not/be saved)

6 Should you smell smoke, (call) the fire brigade.

7. If there hadn't been the strong winds and heavy rain, the ship (not/crash) onto the rocks.

8. If they (not/start) a massive cleaning operation immediately, there will be serious damage to sea-life and birds.

9 Supposing he (not/repair) the engine, would you have fixed it yourself?

10 If I (be) a pilot, I would fly around the world.

11 If you (watch) the 8:30 news, you would have known about the hurricane.

12 Even if I (see) her, I wouldn't have remembered to give her your message.

13 If he (be paid) on time, he could have paid his bills.

14 If she hadn't eaten so much cake, she (not/be) sick last night.

15 Supposing your car (be stolen) what would you do?

16 They won't sign the contract unless the lawyer (check) it first.

Ex.2 Fill in the blanks below with the correct form of the verb:

1. It's important that she (remember) to take her medicine twice a day.

2. I suggest that Frank (read) the directions carefully before assembling the bicycle. He doesn't want the wheels to fall off while he is riding down a hill

3. Mrs. Finkelstein demanded that the heater (repair) immediately. Her apartment was freezing.

4. It's vital that the United States (focus) on improving its public education system. What we do now will affect our country for generations to come.

5. The monk insisted that the tourists (enter) the temple until they had removed their shoes.

6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that she immediately (apologize) for what she just said.

7. Judy asked that we (attend) her graduation ceremony next week.

8. Was it really necessary that (sit) I there watching you the entire time you were rehearsing for the play? It was really boring watching you repeat the scenes over and over again.

9. It is important to remember that Janine (think) very differently from you. She may not agree to the changes you have made in the organization of the company.

10. It's a little difficult to find the restaurant. I propose that we all (drive) together so that nobody gets lost along the way.

11. The woman insisted that the lost child (take) to store's information desk so his parents could be paged.

12. The nutritionist recommended that Sally (reduce) her daily fat intake.

13. The environmental leader felt it was extremely important that the people of the city (allow) to voice their concerns over the new hotel being built on the bay.

14. She told me that the government (regulate) the airline industry. I don't know if that is true.

15. The sign at the pool recommended that you (swim) after eating a large meal.

16. It is necessary that a life guard (monitor) the summing pool while the children are taking their swimming lessons.

17. The sun is scorching today. I suggest you (put) on sunblock immediately before you get a sun burn.

18. John insists that Sarah (invite) to the wedding; otherwise he will not attend.

19. I think it's an interesting fact that she (come) from Estonia.

20. It is imperative that the world (work) towards a solution to global warming before the weather patterns of the world are disrrupted irreparably.

Ex.3. Rewrite the following sentences using inversion:

1. If you should need any help, ask Mr Benson.

1. if you had taken the short cut through the forest, you would have saved time.

2. If Mary had checked her tyres beforehand, she would have noticed that they weren't safe.

3. If Mr Johnson were here, I would speak to him.

4. If Evan had written me a letter, I would have known that he'd moved house.

Ex.4 After each sentence, select the verb or verb string that best completes that sentence. Caution: the subjunctive form will not be the best choice in all sentences:

1. It is very important that all employees _______________ in their proper uniforms before 6:30 a.m.

A. are dressed

B. will be dressed

C. be dressed

2. I wish my brother _________ here.

A. were

B. was

3. The coach insisted that Fabio _______ the center position, even though he's much too short for that position.

A. plays

B. play

4. Evelyn Pumita moved that the meeting _______________.

A. was adjourned

B. be adjourned

5. My mother would know what to do. Oh, would that she _______ here with us now!

A. were

B. was

6. If only Jughead ______ a little more responsible in his choice of courses!

A. was

B. were

7. If Mrs. Lincoln ________ ill that night, the Lincolns would not have gone to Ford Theatre..

A. were

B. had been

8. Her employees treated Mrs. Greenblatt as though she _______ a queen.

A. was

B. were

9. If his parents ____________ more careful in his upbringing, Holden Caulfield would have been quite different.

A. had been

B. were

10. I wish I _________ better today.

A. feel

B. felt

COMMUNICATIVE ACTIVITIES: Think of the things you would do if 1) a fire broke out in the building; 2) you were late for the classes; 3) you won 1 million hryvnyas.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING EXERCISES: Do Exercises 2, 9, pp.93,99 from the exercise book by V.Kaushanskaya.