English grammar for university students. Part 3. Учебное пособие

present or future, the form of past indefinite, past continuous, or past subjunctive is used.

If only they were here now!

If only I could speak Spanish!

If the action refers to the past the forms of past perfect or past perfect continuous are used.

If only I had followed my parents’ advice!

If the desired action refers to the future the following subjunctive forms may be used:

would + infinitive (only when the subject of the subordinate clause and that of the principal clause do not denote the same thing or person). It denotes a kind of request. The form would + infinitive is used when the fulfillment of the wish depends on the will of the person denoted by the subject of the sentence (Murphy, 2012).

If only you would stop chatting!

If the fulfillment of the wish depends more on the circumstances, the form could + infinitive is used.

If only we could have stopped him!

If only people could fly!

NB ‘If only’ is more emphatic than ‘I wish’.

2.In some simple sentences the analytical form would +infinitive is used to denote an unreal action.

I would know how to behave in this situation.

3.In exclamatory sentences to express an emotional attitude of the speaker to real facts (surprise and disbelief). Here should + infinitive is used.

And this should happen just on this day! That it should be you of all people!

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4. The following forms of Subjunctive Mood are used in simple sentences: smb would rather (sooner) do (have done) smth (to express preference);

smb had better (not) do smth – (to express advice).

Exercises

Exercise 1. Analyze the form of Subjunctive Mood and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. If only it were summer now! 2. If I knew I would tell you, so don’t urge me to. 3. Success attend you! 4. May success attend you! 5. And this should happen right now! 6. God bless you! 7. I would willingly help you if I could! 8. If only she might shut herself away from their wondering looks. 9. Would you like to exchange the photos? 10. If only he hadn’t been put into prison! 11. If only they would stop arguing! 12. May Lord help us! 13. God guide your decision. 14. May she be happy. 15. May you never feel what I felt then. 16. Blessed be your child!

Exercise 2. Open the brackets. Choose the correct form of Subjunctive.

1. If only I (can) sing. 2. My watch is slow. If only I (to have) a better watch. 3. I feel so tired. If only I (not to stay up) so late last night. 4. If only I (not to lend) him my car: he has broken it. 5. If only I (to have) a bigger one. 6. If only I (not to spend) all my money last night. 7. If only I (can) take the right decision. 8. If only you (to come) to my place yesterday.

Exercise 3. Express unreal wish or regret about the following. Begin each sentence with “If only!”

Model. He never admits his mistakes.

If only he admitted his mistakes.

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1. You do not have any experience. 2. The child keeps crying all the time! 3. She always comes late. 4. It’s snowing again! 5. We’ve lost our way. 6. He was so cruel to me. 7. You are always interfering into my affairs. 8. You are absentminded. 9. We can’t afford to buy a big house. 10. You didn’t take all the facts into account. 11. I was not able to warn her about the danger. 12. He didn’t manage to let them know about the accident. 12. He doesn’t speak French. 13. Sam doesn’t agree with you. 14. I’d like John to stop smoking. 15. She is unkind to the visitors.16. I am not very fit. 17. We weren’t together. 18. He was too upset that day. 19. They couldn’t come here. 20. It’s very hot today. 21. It’s snowing. 22. My son didn't take my advice. 23. His room is untidy. 24. They wasted much time watching TV. 25. He doesn’t have a lot of friends. 26. I can’t swim.

Exercise 4. Translate into English:

1. Если бы только у меня был сад. 2. Ах, если бы вы заранее предупредили меня. Сейчас уже поздно. 3. Ах, если бы он пришел и помог мне. Я не смогу все сделать сам. 4. Ах, если бы я слышал прогноз погоды! Я бы захватил зонтик. 5. Если бы только я знал утром, что вечером пойдёт дождь! Я бы взял зонтик! 6. И зачем я не приняла его приглашение! 7. Если бы только он перестал жаловаться! Я был бы счастлив. 8. Он был бы счастлив прийти к вам в гости. 9. Надо же такому случиться! 10. Всем было бы удобно пойти туда после завтрака. 11. Было бы гораздо лучше прочитать эту книгу в оригинале. 12. Оставаться здесь в такую погоду было бы опасно.

Exercise 5. Translate from Russian into English .

1. Я бы предпочла, чтобы у меня в комнате был балкон. 2. Я устала, я бы лучше сегодня осталась дома, если не возражаешь. 3. У нас почти закон-

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It is likely the weather may change.

It is possible the key may have been lost.

Exercises

Exercise 6. Comment on the use and the meaning of the verb forms in the subordinate clauses. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. It is important that wickedness shouldn’t triumph. 2. It was absolutely necessary that he should think what had happened. 3. It is desirable that you should be present here. 4. It was advisable that the boy should go out earlier than usual 5. It is demanded that she should leave the house at once. 6. It was required that they should become familiar with the facts. 7. It was arranged that the students should take their examinations in a week 8. It is a pity it should be raining so heavily. 9. It’s strange that the doctor shouldn’t have been sent for. 10. It’s possible that they might meet sooner or later. 11. It’s impossible that he should have come so late.

Exercise 7. Open the brackets. Use the subjunctive mood in subject clauses and the right form of the infinitive.

1. It’s only natural that those two boys ... to play together (want). 2. It wasn’t strange that the son ... his father’s linguistic talents (inherit). 3. It seems surprising now that I ... with it for so long (get away). 4. She was jealous or surprised and it seemed better that the friendship ... (cease). 5. It isn’t advisable

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that you ... here alone (sit). 6. It seems fortunate that you ... us there (meet). 7. It is impossible that the tickets ... so expensive (be). 8. It’s wonderful that they ... you a present (give). 9. It is unbelievable that fresh air and exercise ...

anybody some harm (do). 10. It was ordered that the project (to submit) for discussion at the preliminary session.

Exercise 8. Translate into English.

1. Очень важно, чтобы вы читали английские книги в оригинале. 2. Рекомендуется, чтобы мы чаще занимались спортом. 3. Необходимо, чтобы все их требования были удовлетворены. 4. Странно, что вы друг друга так и не поняли. 4. Вам не кажется сомнительным, чтобы она не поняла лекцию? Она была совсем несложная. 5. Необходимо, чтобы вы пошли туда все вместе. 6. Необходимо, чтобы все студенты выступили на конференции. 7. Желательно, чтобы все присутствующие говорили по существу. 8. Не может быть, чтобы он купил картинную галерею.9. Сомнительно, чтобы он выжил в такой шторм.

The Subjunctive Mood in Predicative Clauses

The choice of the form in these clauses is determined by the lexical meaning of the words these clauses follow or refer to.

1. The forms should + infinitive or the present subjunctive are used after nouns expressing wish, advice, desire, proposal, doubt, hesitation, fear, apprehension, etc. After the last two nouns the conjunction lest is used.

The order was that we should come.

Mary’s wish was that we should stay at her place as long as possible. His fear was lest they should lose the way.

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2. In predicative clauses joined by the link verbs to be, to seem, to look, to feel, to taste, to smell, etc. the past subjunctive, forms of the Past Indefinite or Past Perfect are used. In this case the clause has a comparative meaning and is accordingly introduced by the comparative conjunctions as if, as though. If the action in the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action in the principal clause the Past subjunctive or Past Indefinite are used. If the action is prior to that in the principal clause, the past perfect is used (Каушанская, 2009).

He looked as if he were ill.

The house looked as if it had been deserted for years.

I felt as though I were talking to a child.

Exercises

Exercise 9. Read the following sentences. Comment on the forms and the meaning of the Subjunctive Mood in predicative clauses. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. He looked as though he were ill. 2. Her face was so white that she looked as if she were going to faint. 3. I felt as though I were making a bad joke. 4.It seemed as though he were burning me with his eyes. 5. It isn’t as if you were a child. 6. It seemed as though he had worked an entire day. 7. It was as though nothing had happened. 8. I feel as if I had eaten too much. 9. He looks as if he had been working all day. 10. He felt awkward as if everybody were looking at him. 11. I’m sorry to talk about you as if you weren’t here. 12. Try to behave, my dear, as if nothing had happened. 13. He felt as if he had seen a ghost.14. He looked as if he could willingly die for her. 15. My suggestion is that you should have some rest immediately. 16. His idea was that the theatre should serve as a means of education for the mass of the public.

Exercise 10. Supply the necessary forms for the verbs in brackets.

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1. Batman felt as if someone (to give) him a violent blow. 2. It sounds as if there (to be) three or four men down there. 3. He looked as though he already (to decide) on some action. 4. The sky looked as if it (to be going) to rain. 5. He looked as though he (not to move) since I left him the previous night. 6. You look as though you (not to have) much sleep last night. 7. They looked as if they (to step) from the pages of “Pickwick Papers”. 8. He looks as if he (not to have) a meal for a week.

Exercise 11. Translate from Russian into English.

1. У Вас такой вид, как будто Вы думаете о чем-то постороннем. 2. Ей казалось, что ничего хорошего с ней уже не случится. 3. У меня такое чувство, что я могу проспать целые сутки, но, вероятно, я даже глаз не смогу сомкнуть. 4. Она была так бледна, словно вот-вот упадет в обморок. 5. Она чувствовала себя так, как будто бы ей вручили орден. 6. Казалось, будто она делала это всю жизнь. 7. Ему казалось, что он живет в каком-то чудесном сне. 8. У нее было ощущение, будто стены комнаты двигались, и она уменьшалась. 9. Медленно, как будто бы она двигалась под водой, Пейдж поднялась и подошла к шкафу в углу, где на случай крайней необходимости хранился флакон инсулина. 10. У нее было такое чувство, как будто с ней вот-вот случится что-то хорошее. 11. У нее было ощущение, что она разговаривает со своим зеркальным отражением. 12. Он выглядел так, словно вот-вот заплачет.13. Почему ты так говоришь? Ведь ты же не ребенок. 14. Почему вы расстроились? Ведь никто не смог бы сделать это лучше вас. 15. Ведь я же вам ничего не обещал.16. Кажется, я знаю вас много лет.

Exercise 12. Supply the necessary forms of the verbs in brackets in the following predicative clauses.

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1. The suggestion is that they (to set off) immediately. 2. The request is that payment (to make) immediately. 3. The recommendation is that the President (not to seek) reelection next year. 4. The judge’s demand is (that Mr. Grant (to give evidence) despite his relationship to the accused.

Exercise 13. Translate into English.

l. У меня такое чувство, будто я знаю его годы. 2. У мальчика, кажется, температура. 3. Ей казалось, что она что-то потеряла. 4. Мне кажется, что я теперь смогла бы ее понять. 5. Город теперь выглядит так, словно войны там и не было. 6. Ему всегда кажется, что он не нравится людям. 7. Мне казалось, что никто не смог бы меня остановить. 8. Ведь вы с ним не говорили. 9. Ведь я ничего и не смог бы тогда сделать. 10. Ведь я же не могу помочь. 11. Рекомендация доктора заключалась в том, чтобы пациент чаще бывал на свежем воздухе. 12. Его желанием было никогда больше с ней не встречаться. 13. Его предложение было – отправиться в поход. Его просьба была, чтобы мы пошли туда вместе. 7. Их желанием было никогда больше не возвращаться в этот город.

The Subjunctive Mood in Object Clauses

The choice of the subjunctive mood form in object clauses depends on the meaning of the verb standing before the object clause.

1) In object clauses after verbs expressing order (to order, to command, to give orders, to give instructions, to demand, to urge, to insist, to require), request (to request, to appeal, to beg), suggestion (to suggest, to recommend, to propose, to move, to advise) either should + infinitive is used (Кобрина, Корнеева, 1999).

We urged that in future these relations should be more friendly.

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He commanded that the lady should be shown in.

In American English the present subjunctive in this sentence pattern is predominant (Eastwood, 2011).

He demanded that the lady be shown in.

I suggested that we go to the cinema.

2) In object clauses after the verb wish and phrases I had better, I would rather, or the contracted form I’d rather - different forms may be used, depending on the time-reference of the action in the object clause. If the action refers to the present or future, or is simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause, the forms of past indefinite, past continuous, or past subjunctive is used.

I wish I knew something of veterinary medicine. There’s a feeling of helplessness with a sick animal.

I wish you came here more often. I hardly ever see you.

I would rather you went now.

I’d rather you didn’t help me, actually.

If the action refers to the past the forms of past perfect or past perfect continuous are used, no matter in what tense the verb in the principal clause is. Thus in both the sentences I wish I hadn't come and I wished I hadn’t come the past perfect denotes a prior imaginary action, contradicting reality.

We wished we hadn't left everything to the last minute.

I wish I had been taught music in my childhood.

If the desired action refers to the future the following subjunctive forms may be used:

would + infinitive (only when the subject of the subordinate clause and that of the principal clause do not denote the same thing or person). It denotes a kind of

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