Forms expressing unreality
These forms are:
1.the plain stem of verb for all persons
They proposed that he borrow the money from the bank
2. were for all person
I wish I were 10 years younger
3.the form of the Past Indefinite
He looked as if he knew about it
4.the form of the Past Perfect
He looked as if he had seen a ghost
5.should( for the first persons singulars and plurals) or would(for the other persons)+inf
If I had a garden I should grow tulips in it
6.should, would +perf.inf.
If it hadn’t rained I should have gone for a walk
7. should(for all persons)+inf
I insist that he should meet us at the station
8. would(for all persons)+inf
I wish he wouldn’t interrupt me
9. may(might)+inf
10. can(could)+inf
11. were(for all person)+inf
Structurally dependent use of forms expressing unreality
In object clause the use of different forms of the predicate depends on the lexical character of the predicate verb in the principal clause
As a rule we find the Indicative Mood in object clause after most verbs(to say,
to know, to understand, to be sure, to think)
We know that he is doing very well in his studies.
But after certain expressions we find forms of unreality in object clause
Thus should+inf:
to suggest + it is: necessary
to propose important
to move vital
to demand imperative
to urge essential
to order urgent
to give orders advisable
to give instructions desirable
to require suggested that Subjunctive Mood or
to request proposed should+inf
to insist required
to recommend demanded
to decide requested
to make up one’s mind recommended
to arrange decided
to prefer agreed
to take care arranged
to be anxious
to be determined
She suggested that they go to Europe.
Ann demanded that Andrew should return to the house .
In object clause subordinate to the principal clause with a formal it as subject we find the Indicative Mood
It is: wonderful
natural
singular
absurd
terrible
monstrous the Indicative Mood+S/T or emotional should
queer
odd
possible
likely
probably
it: infuriated
outraged
startled
I wish(ed)
I wish(ed) Past Simple(как бы мне хотелось)
The use of the form of the Past Simple shows that the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause
I wish(ed) he were with us
2.I wish(ed) Past Perfect
If the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the principal clause the form of the Past Perfect is used
I wish they had won (yesterday)
(Как бы мне хотелось, чтобы они выиграли, но они не выиграли
Как жаль, что они не выиграли )
3. I wish(ed) would might could
When the action of the object clause follows that of the principal clause we find the modal verbs would, could, might+inf in the subordinate clause
I wish the child would show more affection for me
I wish I could drop the whole matter
I wish you might stay with us a little longer
4. after the idiomatic phrase
it is time
it is high time (пора) Past Simple
it is about time
It is high time we got rid of our old furniture
Clause of this kind are usually joined to the principal clause asyndetically
The rules of S/T are not observed in this kind of clauses
It is time we had lunch
it was time we had lunch
to be afraid…that+Indicative Mood+S/T
to have apprehension may+Ind Mood+S/T
He was afraid that she would go
Lest+ should+inf
Чтобы не
He was afraid lest she should leave
The use of forms expressing unriality in appositive and predicative clauses
In appositive clauses which are usually introduced by the conjunction that the use of different forms of the predicate depends on the lexical character of the noun they modify.
H
e
is under the impression that I’m hiding something from him
I ndicative mood (st)
In appositive clauses after noun expression order, suggestion, wish, agreement and decision such as:
S
uggestion
Proposal
Demand
Order
Request
Requirement (Subjunctive)
Recommendation MOOD
Understanding SHOULD+INF
Decision
Agreement
Wish
Desire
Ambition
The use of forms expressing unreality in adverbial clauses of purpose
An adverbial modifier of purpose is usually expressed by an infinitive when the agent of that infinitive is the same as the subject in the sentence.
THE AGENT = THE SUBJ.
I
nf
to do or not to do
+ in order to
- so as no to
(I went upstairs to change. I went upstairs in order to change)
(I went upstairs not to change. I went upstairs so as no to change)
A subordinate clause of purpose is found when the subj. of this clause is not the same as the subj. of the principal clause.
T
HE
AGENT = THE SUBJ.
So that
That
In order to conjunction
So that
+ may/can + inf(St)
should + not+inf
l
est
should + Inf.
~ Я говорю тебе это, чтобы ты мог поехать туда
I’m telling you this so that you can/may go there
~Он ушел, чтобы мы могли поговорить
He left so that we could/might speak
~Он будет там, чтобы ты могла с ним поговорить
He’ll there so that you can/may talk with him
~Она уезжает, чтобы вы не ссорились
She is living so that you shouldn’t quarrel
~Я сказала тебе это, чтобы ты не упала
I told you so that you shouldn’t fall
lest + you should fall
The use of forms expressing unreality in adverbial clauses of comparison
A
S
IF + P.P OR
P.P.CONT.(She
looked as if she had seen a ghost)
Shows that the action of the subordinate clause presides the action of the principal clause.
A
S
IF + P.S. OR
P.CONT.(He
asked me the
question as if the answer were
really important to him)
Shows that the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause.
A S IF + would + Inf.(She looked as if he would be at home for the whole
day tomorrow)
If the action of the Sub.clause follows the action of the principal clause.
( Rules of the St are not observed in this kind of clauses)
(as though OR as if)