Subjunctive II, its forms, the independent use

Subjunctive II represents the action as unreal, as contrary to reality. Subjunctive II has two forms:

Non-Perfect	Perfect
I were / went He were / went We were / went You were / went They were / went	I had been / had gone He had been / had gone We had been / had gone You had been / had gone They had been / had gone

The Non-perfect form of Subjunctive II is used to express simultaneous actions referring to the present or to the future.

E.g. She played her part as if she were a professional actress.

The Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used to express priority. It is used to express actions, which were not fulfilled.

E.g. If Mary had been less selfish, she would have had more friends.

Subjunctive II is used independently of other clauses to express advice, preference and wish:

1. advice

I He, she, it We You, they

had better do sth. had better not do sth.

E.g. You had better take a taxi. We had better not tell her.

We use had better to give advice, never to express comparison or preference. Had better refers the action to immediate future. To make a negative form we use particle not:

had better not + Infinitive

To make a negative interrogative form the word order becomes reverse:

E.g. Hadn’t we better wait?

The inversion can occur sometimes to add emphatic stress.

E.g. I will keep my word! – You better had.

had better is used to:

1) give advice to people including ourselves

E.g. You had better make a copy of the tape to be on the safe side.

E.g. I wonder how she is doing. I d better go and check on her.

2) express a threat

E.g. You’d better listen carefully! I will not repeat this information twice!

3) call to immediate action

E.g. You had better start looking for a new job.

Exercise 26. Make up sentences.

You

had better

stay in bed consult the dictionary have some hot tea do morning exercises spend more time in the open air give up smoking book the tickets beforehand ask for more information rest a bit join their group

Exercise 27. Complete the sentences using You’d better.

Model: You look pale. You’d better have a rest.

1. You look ill. 2. It’s coming on to pour. 3.Your reading leaves much to be desired. 4. As far as I know he is bad at singing. 5. I can’t stand this noise! 6. This costume is old-fashioned. 7. We’ve run out of bread. 8. It’s getting dark. 9. You’ve found his knife. 10.

We depend on you! 11. I’ve baked your favourite apple-pie. 12. We no longer require your service.

Exercise 28. Read and render the stories.

Be Careful.

The chemistry professor wrote the formula of HNO₃ on the blackboard. Then he pointed a finger at the inattentive student and said:

“Identify that formula, please.”

“Just a moment,” answered the student, “I’ve got it right on the tip of my tongue, sir.”

“Then”, said the professor softly, “you’d better spit it out. It is nitric acid.”

Distrust in Lawyers.

“Have you got a lawyer?” asked the judge a young man brought before him.

“No, your honour,” was the answer.

“Well, don’t you think you had better have one?” asked the judge.

“No, your honour,” answered the young man. “I don’t need one. I’m going to tell the truth.”