Unit 16

wish-clauses

In object clauses after to wish Past Indefinite (were) or Past Perfect is used to express a wish which cannot be fulfilled or a hardly realizable wish (action contradicting reality):

• I wish/ed it were true. (Как жаль, что это неправда)

• I wish/ed that Tom hadn't brought me there.

(Жаль, что Том привёз меня туда)

Note: for a realisable wish other constructions are used:

I want
I should like	to talk to you.
I wish

Object clauses after wish are joined to the principal clause asyndetically (sometimes that is found). Rules of sequence of tenses are not observed because the tense forms are relative and indicate the following:

A) Past Indefinite shows simultaneous actions:

• I wish(ed) he were with us.

B) Past Perfect shows preceding actions:

• I wish(ed) he had stayed at home.

C) would, might, could + infinitive indicate the following action:

• She wishes/ed the child would show more love for her.

• He wishes/ed he could drop the whole matter.

• I wish(ed) you might stay with us a little longer.

Note: as these forms express regret (not wish), they are translated into Russian in two ways:

I wish I knew it	Как бы мне хотелось это знать.(1)
	Как жаль, что я этого не знаю.(2)
I wish I had told him about it	Как жаль, что я не рассказал ему об этом.(2)

When the object clause is affirmative in English, it is negative in Russian, and vice versa:

I wish I had told him the truth.	Как жаль, что я не сказал ему правды.
I wish I hadn't acted like that.	Как жаль, что я так поступил.

When the action of subordinate clause follows that of principal clause, the translation is:

I wish he would tell me everything.	Мне бы хотелось, чтобы он мне все рассказал.
I wish I could go round the world.	Как бы мне хоте­лось объехать весь мир.

Set phrase I wish you would + Infinitive is an equiva­lent of Imperative Mood:

I wish you would keep quiet.	Да успокойся же ты, (наконец).
I wish you would stop it.	Да перестань же ты.

Other Types of Object Clauses

In object clauses after it is time, it is about time Past Indefinite (or were) is used:

• "Now let's talk." - "Yes, it's time we did." ( = пора бы)

• It's time we got rid of our old furniture. ( = давно пора бы)

• It's about time you were in bed, my child.

Such clauses are joined asyndetically. Rules of sequence of tenses are not observed:

It's time	we had lunch.
It was time

After expressions of fear to be afraid, to be frightened, to be in terror, to be nervous, to fear, etc Indicative Mood forms are used in object clause expressing hypothetical action. Rules of sequence of tenses are observed:

I am afraid nothing has been done yet.	Боюсь, что ничего не сделано.
She was afraid that he had seen her.	Она боялась, что он её видел.
She was afraid he might miss his only chance.	Она боялась, что он мог упустить свой единственный шанс.

Object clauses may be introduced by conj. lest (чтобы не) and should* + Infinitive. Rules of sequence of tenses are not observed:

• An hour before his train he began to be nervous lest he should miss it.

In object clauses with if and whether after expressions of doubt and negative expressions were is used:

• He wondered, looking into her eyes, if it were true.

• Jack asked Ada if she were still enjoying the play.