Lesson 6 The Use of the Oblique Moods in Predicative Subordinate Clauses

The Oblique moods are used in predicative subordinate clauses introduced by the conjunctions «as if», «as though» that follow the link-verbs «to be», «to feel», «to look», «to seem», etc. in the principal clauses.

1. When the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause Present Subjunctive II is used.

e.g. He looked as if he knew it to be true.

2. When the action of the predicative clause is prior to that of the principal clause Past Subjunctive II is used.

e.g. I feel as if you had never been away.

The house looks as if it had been deserted for many years.

She feels as if she had been insulted.

3. When the subject of the principal clause is expressed by an abstract noun such as «wish», «suggestion», «aim», «idea» etc. the Suppositional Mood (with the mood auxiliary «should» for all persons and the Infinitive) is used.

e.g. Her wish is that we should go to the cinema together.

My arrangement with him was that he should meet me at the station.

The Use of the Oblique Moods in Attributive Appositive Clauses

1. Attributive appositive clauses are such clauses which disclose the meaning of the antecedent of the principal clause which is expressed by an abstract noun such as «wish», «suggestion», «idea», «desire» etc. The Suppositional Mood (the mood auxiliary «should» for all persons singular and plural) is used in attributive appositive clauses, modifying abstract nouns.

e.g. Her suggestion that everybody should go to the country on Sunday was accepted.

His wish that everybody should take part in the work was reasonable.

Mind the word «wish» in predicative, object, attributive clauses:

a) predicative clauses:

e.g. Her wish was that everybody should go to the country on Sunday.

b) object clauses:

e.g. She wished that everybody went/would go to the country on Sunday.

c) attributive appositive clauses:

e.g. Her wish that everybody should go to the country on Sunday was realized.

2. The Oblique Moods are also used in attributive clauses modifying the noun «time» in the principal clause of the type «It is time», «It’s high time». In this case Present Subjunctive II is used in the subordinate clause:

e.g. It is time we went home.

It is time we were off

Now, children. It’s high time you were washed and dressed. (Mansfield)

The Suppositional Mood is also possible, though less common.

e.g. It’s time we should go home.

The Use of the Oblique Moods in Adverbial Clauses of Comparison (Manner)

These clauses are introduced by the conjunctions «as if», «as though».

1. If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause Present Subjunctive II is used in the subordinate clause:

e.g. She went on with her work as if she were alone.

She greeted him as if he were her brother.

Mary usually speaks of him as if she knew him well.

2. If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause Past Subjunctive II is used in the subordinate clause:

e.g. She spoke of him as if she had known him for years.

She went on with her work as if she hadn’t been informed of his arrival.

She speaks English so well as if she had been born in Britain.