Mood
Subjunctive I
The form of Subjunctive I is synthetic: for the verb to be – the form be for all the persons, for the rest verbs – bare infinitive of the verb (go, speak, come).
The meaning of Subjunctive I is to express a problematic action but not contrary to reality, an action that can be realized in the future (the realization of the action depends on some circumstances but is not excluded).
The use: Subjunctive I can be used both in simple and in complex sentences
In simple sentences:
In simple sentences Subjunctive I is used in a number of phrases expressing wish, oaths, swearing, etc. most of which are characteristic of archaic style,. This is the so-called formulaic Subjunctive
Wish:
Success attend you! – Да сопутствует вам успех!
Long live the forces of peace!
Long live …! – Да здравствует …! (mostly used jocularly)
Be it so! / So be it! – Да будет так! (sounds solemn)
Be it as you wish. – Будь по-вашему.
God / Lord / heaven help smb!
God / heaven forbid! – Боже упаси!
God save us! – Х рани нас Бог!
God save the Queen! ( part of the British National Anthem )
(God) Bless you! – Благослави вас Бог! (More often used as a reaction to a person sneezing, cf. Russian Будь здоров!)
Peace be to his ashes! – Мир праху его!
God rest his soul! – Успокой, Господи, его душу.
Oaths, imprecations, swearings or threat:
Confound these flies!
Confound the cat!
Blast the fool! – Будь проклят!
(God) damn! – Проклятье! (Черт побери!)
Manners be hanged! – Долой (к черту) приличия!
Woe be to you if … – Горе тебе если … (archaic, very emotional)
Command or request. In this meaning Subjunctive I is used only when the subject is an indefinite pronoun (somebody, everybody, someone) or the combination one of you:
Somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk!
One of you go and tell her to come.
Everybody leave the room.
Other meanings:
Far be it from me to …- Я далек от мысли …
Suffice it to say – Достаточно сказать, что …(The situation looks grim. Suffice it to say that we are 3 million pounds in debt.)
Come what may … – Что бы ни случилось, …(Come what may, I won’t leave you.)
Be it rain or snow … (concessive meaning similar to Come what may)
If truth be known .. – По правде говоря, …
If need be … – Если потребуется …
… as it were … – как бы, как бы это сказать (Your ideas are, as it were, very expensive.)
The use of Subjunctive I in simple sentences is characteristic of literary style except in point 2 where it is low colloquial style. Besides, Subjunctive I is more common in American than in British variant of English, especially in complex sentences with that – clauses. Both in simple and in complex sentences uncolloquial Subjunctive I is usually replaced by a modal phrase (may / might + infinitive) or by the Suppositional mood:
Whoever you be …> Whoever you may / might be …
He ordered that we be present. > He ordered that we should be present.
Subjunctive I
In complex sentences:
In subject clauses introduced by anticipatory it.
It is necessary that he be ready at 5 o’clock.
In object clauses after the expression of:
order ( We demand that the atomic weapons be banned.) .
suggestion, desire ( We suggest that he be chosen as a dean.)
fear ( She feared lest she be mistaken.)
in indirect questions ( We can’t tell if this be true.)
In adverbial clauses:
of purpose ( We’ll start early lest we be late.)
of concession ( Whatever the reason be, I don’t agree.)
of condition ( If in his heart the hope be dear …)
It should be pointed out that Subjunctive I in complex sentences is mostly used in American English, especially with the meaning of desire ( I insist that Andy stay at home.) while in British English Subjunctive I is characteristic of official language or poetry and high, elevated style.
Subjunctive I in complex sentences denotes actions that occur later than the actions in the main clause: The realization of this action in the future is not excluded.
I insist that you stop the execution.