Summary

The Conditional Mood

should/ would + infinitive

should/would do/be doing (for present actions)

should/would have done/ have been doing (past)

Subjunctive II

coincides in form with past tenses

were/ did/ was doing/ was done (for simultaneous actions– одночасних)

had been/ had done/ had been doing/ had been done (for prior actions – попередніх)

the action is unreal because of absence of necessary condition

unreal actions

Usage: (only in conditionals)

1. In simple sentences of implied condition:

In your place I would have taken a taxi.

But for you I would feel lonely. (Якби не ти, я б почувалась самотньо)

2. In compound sentences of implied condition:

I was busy, otherwise (or else) I would have come. (… а інакше я б прийшов.)

3. In main clauses of complex sentences with adverbial clauses of

a) condition (Якби …)

If I were you, 1 would buy a car. I would have bought a car if I had taken a loan.

b) concession (Навіть якби

Even if I had a car I wouldn’t drive to work.

I wouldn’t have bought a car even if I had been given a loan.

Usage:

1. In simple sentences expressing

– unreal wish (Якби ж то…):

If only I had more free time.

– advice (Краще б ти …):

You had better not go alone.

– preference (Я б воліла …):

I would rather stay at home now/ have stayed at home yesterday.

2. In subordinate cl. of complex sent-s

– in subject sub. clauses (Час вже …

It's time you earned your living.

– in object sub. clauses (Шкода… )

I wish you earned your living.

– in predicative sub. clauses

a) I would rather you didn’t go alone

b) You look as if you had seen a ghost.

– in adverbial clauses of

a) manner/ comparison:

He looked at me as if I were a ghost.

b) condition:

If I were you, I would buy a car. If they were sleeping, we couldn’t be watching TV. If I hadn’t been busy, I would have helped you.

c) concession:

Even if I had bought a car, I wouldn't drive it to work.

The Suppositional Mood (BE)

Subjunctive I (American English)

is formed with should + inf.

should do / not do/ be

Coincides in form with the bare infinitive: do/ not do/ be

actions need to be done or are desirable, important, essential, required etc

Usage:

In subordinate clauses of complex sentences:

2. In subject subordinate clauses:

It's necessary that everyone (should) be present at the meeting.

Adjectives to use: important, necessary, urgent, desirable, essential, crucial, vital, imperative, appropriate, etc.

Past participles to use: suggested, requested, required, ordered, advised, agreed, arranged, etc.

3. In object subordinate clauses :

1. He feels it necessary that everyone (should) be present there.

2. My parents are anxious/ determined that I should succeed.

3. He suggested that everyone (should) be present at the meeting.

Verbs to use: suggest, propose, ask, warn, urge, order, advise, insist, demand, arrange, warn, recommend, instruct, request, require.

4. In predicative subordinate clauses :

His suggestion was that everyone (should) be present at the meeting.

5. In attributive subordinate clauses :

He put forward a suggestion that everyone (should) be present there.

6. In negative adverbial clauses of purpose :

Write down the date so that you (should) not forget about the meeting

lest you (should) forget about the meeting.

7. In object subordinate clauses introduced by conjunction lest after expressions of fear: I'm afraid lest I (should) fail my exams.

8. Subjunctive I is also used in set expressions: God bless you!

Don’t confuse the Suppositional mood and modal verb ‘should’

– advice: Modal verb ‘should’ doesn’t depend on the sentence structure. The Suppositional Mood is used only in subordinate clauses: You should (M.V.) have a rest. = Тобі варто відпочити. It’s vital that you should have a rest (SM) = Важливо, щоб ти відпочив.

– emotional ‘should’: Use modal verb ‘should’ in ‘that-clauses’ to add emotional colouring and the S. M. for actions which need to be done.

It’s outrageous that they should (MV) be late. = Це обурює, що вони ….

It’s important that they should be (SM) in time. = Важливо, щоб вони ...