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The oblique moods general description

In Russian when we want to characterize an action as unreal, probable, possible, desirable, necessary etc., we use the subjunctive mood:

This mood has only one form, which is used when speaking about the present, past and future.

In English there are four groups of forms which can represent an action as desirable, necessary, possible, problematic, unreal, etc.

1. the Conditional mood.

I, we should do smith.

should have done smith.

He, she, it, they would do smith.

would have done smith.

2. Subjunctive II.

I, he, she, it were (was) smith; did smith.

had been smith; had done smith.

3. the Suppositional mood.

I, he, she, it, we, you, they should do smith.

should have done smith.

4. Subjunctive I.

I, he, she, it, we, you, they be smith; do smith.

In British English the use of Subjunctive I is limited to certain styles. In everyday speech the Suppositional mood or modal phrases are used instead.

Use of the oblique moods

One may distinguish two separate cases of the use of the oblique moods. The free use – when the mood is used for its meaning, and the obligatory use – when the structure of the sentence demands the use of this or that form.

The use of moods in conditional clauses is an example of the free use of the oblique moods. If you want to characterize the condition as unreal, you use Subjunctive II. If you wanted to go there …. To show that the fulfillment of the condition is possible but unlikely, you must use the Suppositional mood; If you should want to go there …. The choice of the mood depends on the meaning you want to express.

In other subordinate clauses we find example of the obligatory use of the oblique moods. The choice of this or that form depends on the conjunctions, type of clause or certain words used in the principle clause.

If the sentence begins with the words: It is necessary …, the Suppositional mood is used in the subordinate clause: /It is necessary that he should go there/.

If the sentence begins with the words: It is time …, Subjunctive II must be used: It is time he went there.

The conjunction as if is followed by Subjunctive II. She looked as if she had been crying.

The conjunction lest is followed by the suppositional mood: Do it now lest it should be too late.

The use of the Conditional mood is always free. The use of the suppositional mood, of Subjunctive I and Subjunctive II may be either free or obligatory.

Lab. Work # 1 Suppositional mood and Subjunctive I

Ex1. Study the use of Subjunctive I and the Suppositional mood in subject clauses.

a) It is necessary (important, suggested, recommended, advisable, desirable, demanded, ordered) that smb. (should) keep it a secret.

b) The subjunctive mood expressing an emotional attitude of the speaker.

c) It is doubtful (strange, impossible, unnatural, annoying, unusual, surprising, shameful) that he (should) conceal it from us. He should have concealed it from us.

Ex2. Translate into Russian.

1. It is necessary that somebody should interfere. 2. It is highly desirable that you should know all the particulars. 3. It is not important that he should be able to drive. 4. It is not necessary that you should attend the hearing in person. 5. It is desirable that each girl should be able to type and make notes. 6. It is important that you should know each child by his name. 7. It is not necessary that we should give any decisive answer today. 8. It is comparatively unimportant that he should arrive a day before the contest. 9. It is highly desirable that the patients should spend all their walking hours in the park and on the beach. 10. It is important that nothing should be done until we get a further report of the case.

Ex3. Open the brackets using the Suppositional mood.

1. 1. It is necessary that writers (to keep) pace with the time. 2. It is important that he (to stick) to a diet. 3. It is desirable that they (to carry out) the test without delay. 4. It is advisable that you (to take) more exercise. 5. It was suggested that a thorough investigation (to make). 6. It is recommended that you (to learn) a grammar rule before doing exercises. 7. It is demanded that the conditions of safety (to improve).

2. 1. It is strange that the news (to affect) her so much. 2. It is doubtful that the weather (to improve) soon. 3. It is annoying that performance (to call off). 4. It is strange that he (to overlook) this chance. 5. It is impossible that he (to make) no move to defend himself. 6. It is surprising that he (to take) this risk. 7. It is monstrous that the crime (to commit) in the presence of so many people and none of them (to stop) the criminal. 8. It is unnatural that she (to break) the promise. 9. It is disappointing that the worker's demand for better working conditions (to reject). 10. It is incredible that you (to live) in the same street all these years and not (to meet).

Ex4. Paraphrase the sentences using the Suppositional mood.

1. He deliberately insulted her. Is it possible? 2. It is important for you to touch upon this problem in your speech tomorrow. 3. Why didn't they call him to account for his outrageous behavior? It is very strange. 4. It is advisable for everyone to undergo a medical examination every year. 5. When consulting a physician one is requested to have various laboratory tests taken. 6. I doubt that she will make all the necessary arrangement. 7. It is desirable for her to change the scene at least for a month. 9. His car suffered no damage in the accident. Isn't it strange?

Ex5. Translate into English.

1. Не может быть, чтобы она утверждала это. 2. Сомнительно, чтобы он испытывал сочувствие к нам. 3. Желательно, чтобы учли его финансовые интересы. 4. Необходимо, чтобы ты рассказал все подробно. 5. Неужели он не смог сказать что-нибудь в свою защиту. 6. Было предложено организовать вечер по этому случаю. 7. Важно, чтобы каждый человек мог постоять за свои принципы. 8. Желательно, чтобы вы были кратки и говорили по существу. 9. Вполне естественно, чтобы он принял руководство фирмой на себя после смерти отца. 10. Странно, что он дал согласие на их женитьбу. 11. Досадно, что он заболел перед экзаменом. 12. Удивительно, что он так много пережил в свои 20 лет. 13. Было распоряжение, чтобы мы отступили ночью. 14. Желательно, чтобы вы купили билеты заранее. 15. Неужели эта новость так разволновала ее? 16. Сомнительно, чтобы он извлек какую-то выгоду из этого. 17. Важно, чтобы в своем выступлении вы подчеркнули необходимость решить эту проблему как можно скорее. 18. Было предложено провести переговоры в мае. 19. Необходимо, чтобы люди объединили свои усилия в борьбе за мир.