SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
The category of mood expresses the character of connection between the process denoted by the verb and the actual reality. Subjunctive mood represents the action as unreal.
SUBJUNCTIVE I
Subjunctive I represents the action as problematic, but not contradicting to reality, it represents the action to be desirable, suggested, supposed. Subjunctive I is seldom used in Modern English. It is mostly used in the language of official documents, high prose and the American variant of English.
Subjunctive I is formed with the help of the auxiliary verb should for all persons singular and plural (or without it) and the infinitive of the notional verb in the appropriate form without the particle to. Subjunctive I has two forms “non-perfect” and “perfect”
Non-perfect
I he/she/it
we should write (be writing; be written) you
they
Perfect
I he/she/it
we should have written (have been written) you
they
The non-perfect form is used to express simultaneousness in the present or in the past, or refers the action to the future.
The perfect form is used to express prior actions or situations.
The use of Subjunctive I
1.The subject clauses. Subjunctive I is used in subject clauses after the principal clauses denoting subjective appraisal of the action or situation described in the subordinate clause. The subject in such principal clauses is usually expressed by the pronoun it, the predicate is compound nominal and includes adjectives and nouns with modal meaning (necessary, imperative, etc.) or adjectives and nouns giving estimation of the action or situation described in the subordinate clause (strange, annoying, etc.)
it is necessary |
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smb should do smth |
it is impossible |
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smb should (have) done smth |
it is strange |
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smb do smth |
it is imperative |
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it is annoying |
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it is a shame |
(that) |
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it is a pity |
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it is desirable it is unlikely it is advisable it is high time
It is necessary that you should help them. – Необходимо, чтобы вы им помогли. It is necessary that you help them. – Необходимо, чтобы вы им помогли.
It is a pity (that) we have come late . – Жаль, что мы пришли поздно.
These structures are used in written language while in spoken language infinitives are preferable.
It is necessary for you to help them. It is a pity to have come late.
EXERCISES
I. Read the following sentences. Comment on the use and the meaning of the verb forms in the subordinate clauses. Translate them into Russian.
1.It was absolutely necessary that he should think what had happened.
2.It is desirable that you should be present here.
3.It was advisable that the boy should go out earlier than usual.
4.It is demanded that she should leave the house at once.
5.It was required that they should become familiar with the facts.
6.It was arranged that the students should take their examination in a week.
7.It is a pity it should be raining so heavily.
8.It is a pity you’d have come so late.
9.It is natural that I’d look run down after the exam.
10.It was strange that they’d have changed their mind.
11.It is curious that she should have refused to keep them company.
12.It is right that you should have said it frankly.
2. |
Supply the necessary forms of the Subjunctive Mood for the verbs in |
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brackets. |
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1. |
It’s only natural that those two boys |
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to play together (want). |
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It wasn’t strange that the son |
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his father’s linguistic talents (inherit). |
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It seems surprising now that I … |
with it for so long (get away). |
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4. |
She was jealous or surprised and it seemed better that the friendship … |
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(tease). |
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It isn’t advisable that you |
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here alone (sit). |
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It seems fortunate that you |
… us there (meet). |
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It’s is impossible that the tickets … so expensive (be). |
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It’s wonderful that they … |
you a present (give). |
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It is unbelievable that fresh air and exercise … anybody some harm (do). |
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10. Is it odd that I … your brother (love)? |
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11. It was necessary that the expedition |
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a radio (have). |
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3. Refer to exercises 1) and 2) and use the infinitive instead of Subjunctive I. Make all necessary changes.
4.Translate the sentences into English
1.Необходимо, чтобы студенты как можно больше читали по-английски.
2.Было решено, чтобы студенты читали роман Джона Брейна «Путь наверх».
3.Очень важно, чтобы они читали эту книгу в оригинале.
4.Рекомендуется, чтобы вы перевели этот отрывок, не пользуясь словарем.
5.Желательно, чтобы студенты выписывали интересные выражения и употребляли их в своей речи.
6.Договорились, чтобы мы провели конференцию по этой книге в конце семестра.
7.Необходимо, чтобы все студенты приняли участие в этой конференции.
8.Странно, что именно вы одобряете эту точку зрения.
9.Странно, что он до сих пор не ответил на наше письмо.
10.Жаль, что вы уже позвонили ему. 11.Жаль, что он не знает французского языка. 12.Естественно, что люди любят свободу.
13.Вполне естественно, чтобы девочка была довольна подарком. 14.Вещи упакованы; пора посылать за машиной.
15.Обидно, что вы так мало говорите по-английски на уроках.
II.The object, predicative and attributive clauses.
Subjunctive I is used in the object, predicative and attributive clauses after verbs and nouns denoting suggestion, demand, recommendation and order.
to order |
smb should do smth |
to request |
smb do smth |
to advise |
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to propose |
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to insist |
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request |
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suggestion |
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advice |
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(that) |
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He suggested (that) we should take part in the excursion. - Он предложил, чтобы мы приняли участие в экскурсии.
He suggested (that) we take part in the excursion – Он предложил, чтобы мы приняли участие в экскурсии.
In spoken language after these verbs the gerund is often used. He suggested our taking part in the excursion.
He insisted on taking a cup of tea with the family.
EXERCISES
1.Read the following sentences. Comment on the forms of the Subjunctive Mood. Translate them into Russian.
1.She requested that I should give her a dictionary.
2.My friend strongly advises that we should attend these lectures.
3.The teacher insisted we should write a composition on Tuesday.
4.The Dean directed the meeting should be held at four o’clock.
5.We agreed that we’d all read the book in the original.
6.The professor proposed that I shouldn’t experiment alone.
7.She demands that the students should work at the laboratory regularly.
8.The teacher recommended that we should do the exercise in writing.
9.Who suggested that she’d choose that branch of philology?
10.Don’t you propose that the discussion should be put the end to?
11.They arrange that the conference should take place in the library. 12.She suggests that I consult the professor.
2.Change the structure of the following sentences so as to use the forms of the Subjunctive Mood.
1.I proposed to find a doctor and bring him to see Strickland.
2.I suggest postponing the party till next Sunday.
3.Danny proposed to blow up the sewer.
4.The defense insisted on hearing some more witnesses.
5.The captain ordered the passengers to leave the deck.
6.It’s a pity to have bothered you about much trifles.
7.He told them it was time to go to dinner.
8.It is necessary for you to mention this fact in your report.
9.He insisted that it was necessary for me to accompany him.
10.He was very nice about it and insisted on my accepting an extra week’s salary.
3. Translate into English using the Subjunctive Mood.
1.Она предложила нам прогуляться по саду после обеда.
2.Студенты просили, чтобы им показали фильм в оригинале.
3.Я распорядился, чтобы лекцию прочитали еще раз для студентов.
4.Никто не настаивает, чтобы вы выполнили эту работу сегодня.
5.Директор приказал всем собраться в актовом зале через два часа.
6.Она посоветовала, чтобы мы ждали ее у входа в парк.
7.Он предложил, чтобы все студенты участвовали в этом обсуждении.
8.Мы договорились, что мы все вместе навестим ее в воскресенье.
9.Библиотекарь потребовала, чтобы я вернула книги в конце недели.
10.Он приказал, чтобы все было готово к пяти часам.