The Subjunctive M.. Synthetic forms.. Analytical forms.. Usage of the SM.

The Subjunctive M.

Is also used to express emotional attitude of the speaker to real facts. SM has synthetic and analytical forms.

Synthetic forms.

The present Subjunctive, denotes an action referring to the present or future: the verb to be has the form be for all the persons. Be it so! (set expression)

The past S, in adverbial clauses of condition denotes unreal condition referring topresent or future, in other types of subordinate clauses denotes action simultaneous with the acion expressed in the principal clause: the verb to be has the form were for all the persons.

If I were ill I should like to be nursed by you. (adv. cl. of condition).

I wished he were less rude.

Analytical forms.

Consist of the mood auxiliaries should, would, may (might) or shall and the infinitive of the notional verb.

Yetes wished Bing would stop thanking him, but he went on.

Usage of the SM.

I. Simple Sentence (synthetic forms are more frequently used).

1. to express wish (may Success attend you! )

2. unreal wish (if only we were free! )

3. oaths and imprecations (Manners be hanged ! )

4. set expressions ( Be it so! God forbid ! )

II. Complex Sent.

1. The SM used in conditional sentences to express an unreal condition (in the subordinate clause) and an unreal consequence (in the principal clause).

In sentences of unreal condition referring to the present or future the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used in the subordinate clause (other verbs are used in Past Indef. ). In the Principal Clause we find should or would and the Indefinite Infinitive.

If he were here I should go to the theatre.

If in the subordinate clause the mood auxiliary should is used, we often find the Indicative or Imperative Mood in the principal clause:

If they should come, ask them to wait.

In sentences of unreal condition referring to the past the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used in the sub. clause; in the princ. cl. we find the analytical subjunctive consisting of the mood auxiliary would and perf infinitive.

If I had consulted my oun interests, I should never have come here.

There are 2 mixed types of unreal condition sentences. 1- condition refers to the past and the consequence refers to the present or future.

If I had taken your medicine yesterday, I would be well now.

2- Condition refers to no particular time and the consequence to the past.

If he were not so absent-minded, he wouldn’t have mistaken you for your sister.

(! ) But for/ If it were not for

2. The SM is used in adverbial clauses of purpose. When a clause of purpose is introduced by the conjunctions that, so that, in order that, we find the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) if the principal clause refers to the present of future, if to the past – only might.

He got up, cautiously, so that he might not wake the sleeping boy.

3. The SM is used in adv cl of concession. (conjunctions and connectives: though, although, however, no matter, whatever, etc. the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) is generally used

Though he may be tired he will go to the concert.

4. In adv cl of time & place after the conjunctions whenever, wherever.

Whenever you may come you are welcomed.

5. In adv cl of manner, conjunctions as if and as though

He speaks as if he knew you!

6. In predicative clauses. (A) conjunctions as if as though, link verbs to be, to feel, to look, etc.

He looked as if he knew it to be true.

(B)when the subject of the principal cl is expressed by an abstract noun such as wish, aim, idea, etc. Should for all persons is used:

Mary’s wish was that our mother should come and live with her.

7. in Subject clauses. After a principal cl of the type It is necessary, It is important, etc. Plus Should for all persons.

It’s necessary that he should come.

8. in Object clauses. (a) To wish – in the principal cl., Past Subjunctive of to be or Past Indef. of other verbs.

I wish I were a girl again.

If the action in the Obj. Clause is prior to that of the principal cl the Past Perf is used.

I wish I had not done it.

(b) Conjunction lest, the predicate in the principal cl is expressed by a verb denoting fear. Should for all persons.

She fears lest (that) she should (will/may) be blamed .

(c) The predicate in the principal cl is expressed by a verb denoting order, suggestion, advise, etc. Should for all persons.

He demands that everyone should be ready by 5.

9. In attributive appositive clauses, modifying the nouns (wish, aim, idea). Should for all persons.

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

10. in attributive al. Modifying the noun time.

It is time we went home.

It is time we should go home.

III. Emotional Should. The emotional should occurs in different kinds of subordinate cl; the principle cl in such cases contains:

1- An adjective expressing astonishment, regret, joy, etc.

It is strange I should never had heard him even mention your name.

2- A noun: wonder, pity, shame, etc.

3- Principal cl is of the following type

I’m sorry, I’m glad, …

I’m sorry you should take such needless trouble.

(! ) Why should you & I talk about it?

IV. Ways of rendering the SM in Russian.

The SM in English is often corresponds to the same mood in Russian:

I wish you ’d come oftener to see us. / Я хотела бы, что бы вы почаще заходили .

However, the SM is often rendered by the Indicative Mood or Infinitive.

Barsiny received them as if he had known them for years.

Барсини принял их так, как будто он знал их много лет.

I proposed Ada, that we should go and see Richard.

Я предложила Аде пойти навестить Ричарда.