The Indicative Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is presented as a fact. (See the Tenses in the Active and Passive Voice.)
She went to college in the morning. The text was translated yesterday.
The Imperative Mood expresses a command or a request.
Please put the papers on the table.
Don't litter, please.
The Subjunctive Mood
The Subjunctive Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is presented as a non-fact, as something imaginary or desired.
Fact: / work in a restaurant, but I don't earn much.
If I find a better job, I'll take it. Non-fact: / wish I had a lot of money.
If I had a lot of money, I would open my own
restaurant.
In Modern English the Subjunctive Mood has synthetic and analytical forms.
The synthetic forms are as follows: the Present Subjunctive (a special kind of present tense which has no -s in the third person singular: I, he, she, it, we, you, they be, have, speak, etc.) and the Past Subjunctive only of the verb to be (I, he / she / it, we, you, they were). The synthetic forms are sometimes used in that-clauses in a formal style, especially in American English, after words which express the idea that something is important or desirable and in certain fixed phrases. The same forms are used in both present and past tenses.
It is important that Helen be present when we sign the papers.
We considered it desirable that he not leave school before finishing his exams.
God bless you!
Long live the bride and the groom!
If we have to pay $2,000, then so be it. (-We can't do anything to change it.)
The analytical forms consist of the mood auxiliaries should, would, may (might) or shall (which is seldom used) + the infinitive.
It is important that every child should have the same educational opportunities.
/ propose that you shall come along with me.
The Subjunctive Mood is used:
In conditional sentences to express an unreal condition (in the subordinate clause) and an unreal consequence (in the principal clause).
There are three types of conditional sentences.
The First Conditional
| If + present simple If you drop it. Or future It' 11 break | Future It' 11 break. If + present simple If you drop it. |
Use:
*The first conditional refers to the future. It is used when there is a possibility that the if-event happens.
If it rains, we'll go to the cinema. (= It might rain: it might not.)
If the sun shines, we'll go to the beach. (= The sun might shine: it might not.)
*going to is sometimes used in the first conditional to describe a future plan:
If it rains, we're going to visit my mother.
The Second Conditional
| If + past simple If you dropped it, If they asked me to work for them, Or would/could/might + infinitive / would do a lot of swimming. I might accept. | Would/could/might + infinitive / would it would break, I might accept, If + past simple if I lived by the sea. if they asked me to work for them. |
* The "past" here is actually the subjunctive, which is the same as the past simple except for two forms - 1 had he/she + were:
If I were you, I'd change my job.
If John were here, he wouldn't be very happy.
* In conversational English, these two forms can be replaced by the past:
If I was you, I'd change my job.
If John was here, he wouldn't be very happy.
* would is often shortened to 'd.
The Third Conditional
| If + past perfect If you had dropped it, If I'd worked harder, or would/could/might + perfect infinitive / wouldn 't have married Jo. I would have passed the exam. | Would/could/might + perfect infinitive it would have broken, I would have passed the exam, If + past perfect if I'd met you earlier, if I'd worked harder. |
Use:
The third conditional refers to the past (it is sometimes called the past conditional):
I'd have warned you if I'd seen you last week, (but I didn't see you, so I didn't warn you.)
If I'd passed my exams, I would have gone to Art College. (but I didn't pass my exams, so I didn't go to Art College.)
Mixed Conditional
Sometimes we make sentences which mix Second and Third Conditionals, especially when a past event has an effect in the present:
If you hadn 't invited me, I wouldn 't have gone to the party. (= I didn't go the party - Third Conditional.)
If you hadn't invited me, I wouldn't be here now. (= I'm at the party now -Third + Second Conditionals.)
NOTE: 1. Unreal condition may also be expressed in the following ways:
a) But for the rain, we should go down to the country. Если бы не дождь, мы бы поехали за город.
b) If it were not for your help, I should not be able to finish my work in time.
Если бы не ваша помощь, я не смог бы вовремя закончить работу.
2. Adverbial clauses of condition containing the verbs had, were, could and should are often introduced without any conjunction. In these cases we find inversion.
Should he come this way, I will speak to him.
Words other than if
Other words can be used instead of if in conditional clauses:
a) unless = "if not":
I'll go home soon if the film doesn 't start.
I'll go home soon unless the film starts.
Unless is used in sentences of real and unreal condition.
b) provided (that), on condition (that), as long as, so long as:
Provided that everybody agrees, we 'II have the meeting on Tuesday.
These conjunctions are chiefly used in Model: sentences of real condition.
c) (just) suppose, supposing (that), what if, imagine: Just suppose it didn 't rain for four months: would we have
enough water?
These conjunctions are more common in sentences of unreal condition.
Practice
1. Write these sentences, putting the verbs in brackets into the Present Simple or the Future Simple.
Model: If the train's late, we (walk). If the train's late, we'll walk.
1. If the water-melon costs too much, I (buy) a smaller one.
2. If the doctor can't see me, I (go) somewhere else.
3. If the class (be) full, we (find) another one.
4. What will we do if the taxi (not come)?
5. Will you phone me if there (be) any problems?
6. I (ask) Peter if I (see) him tomorrow.
7. I (go) next week, if I (can) get a train ticket.
8. If I (have to), I (complain) to the manager.
9. If he (see) me here, he (be) really angry.
10. Mary (be) worried if you don't come to the airport.
2. Put the verbs in the sentences below into the correct tense. Model: If you drove more carefully, you (not have) so many
accidents.
If you drove more carefully, you wouldn't have so
many accidents.
1. If we (have) more time, I could tell you more about it.
2. If you (sell) more products, you'd earn more money.
3. I could help you if you (trust) me more.
4. His car would be a lot safer if he (buy) some new tyres.
5. The children would be better swimmers if they (go) swimming more frequently.
6. I wouldn't mind having children if we (live) in the country.
7. If (be) you, I wouldn't worry about going to university.
8. If I (have) any money, I'd give you some.
9. Your parents (be) a lot happier if you phoned them more often.
10. Where would you like to live if you (not live) in Paris?
3. Write these sentences in full, using the words given. Put the verbs into the correct tense:
Model: What /would / you / done / if / not / lend / you / the money? What would you have done if I hadn't lent you the money?
1. I / not / marry / him / if /1 / know / what he was like.
2. I / not / hire / a car / if /1 / know / how expensive it was.
3. If / we / got / to the cinema earlier / we / not / miss / the start of the film.
4. If / I / be born / a year earlier / I / have to do / military service.
5. If / you / asked / me /1 / would lend / you my car.
6. If /1 gone / to university / I get / a better job.
7. I /wouldn't / go out / yesterday /if/ you asked / me not to.
8. I / could / give you / a lift / if / my car / not broken down.
9. I / not go / to Berlin / if /1 know / what was going to happen.
10. I / not come / to this school / if /1 / know / what it was like.
4. Look at these sentences and explain the difference between them.
1. a. If you give me $ 1, I'll spend it all.
b. If you gave me $ 1000, I'd (would) spend it all.
c. If you had given me $ 10,000, I'd (would) have spent it all.
2. a. I'll (will) give it to you, if you get here a 9 a.m.
b. I'd (would) give it to you, if you got here at 9 a.m.
c. I'd (would) here given it to you, if you had got here at 9 a.m.
5. Match the two halves of these sentences.
| A | В | |
| I | 1. Would you marry | a. if you were not so mean. |
| me, | b. if someone gave you a | |
| 2. How would you feel, | diamond necklace. | |
| 3. You'd have a lot | c. if I had more money. | |
| more friends, | d. if I had a lot of money. | |
| 4. Would you have left | e. if you hadn't been pro- | |
| the firm, | moted. | |
| 5. What would you do, | f. if you were in my posi- | |
| 6. I'd go out more often, | tion. | |
| II | 1. If you were pro- | a. you'd be able to change |
| moted | the system. | |
| 2. If you lost your job | b. you wouldn't be sacked. | |
| 3. If you apologized | c. would you have left the | |
| 4. If you hadn't been | firm? | |
| promoted | d. would you be in despair? | |
| 5. If you had lost your | e. you wouldn't have | |
| job | bought such an expensive | |
| 6. If I were stronger | car. | |
| 7. If I hadn't been so | f. I would carry it myself. | |
| tired | g. I wouldn't have felt | |
| 8. If he hadn't tele- | asleep in the armchair. | |
| phoned | h. we wouldn't have got the | |
| message. |
6. Express the ideas in the sentences below using if... not. The first one is done for you.
Model: You haven't signed the cheque. I can't cash it. If you don't sign the cheque I can't cash it.
1. I bought a newspaper and so I was able to see the football results.
2. She lost her passport and had to go to the embassy.
3. We'll have to take a taxi to the station. The train leaves in fifteen minutes.
4. The shops were closed so I couldn't buy any food.
5. You have to show an identity card before you are allowed to enter the building.
6. I can't understand. Please explain how the machine works.
7. Choose the correct word or words to replace the words in italics in these sentences:
Model: I'll give you $100 if you say nothing about this, (provided that, what if, unless)
I'll give you $100 provided that you say nothing about this.
1. If your company went bankrupt, what would you do? (just suppose, on condition, as long as)
2. If you had to live in another country, where would you go? (on condition, unless, imagine)
3. We'll let him out of prison if he reports to the police station every day. (supposing, as long as, unless)
4. I'll take them to court if they don't pay me what they owe. (imagine, provided that, unless)
5. If you won a million pounds - what would you do with it? (providing, as long as, unless, imagine)
6. If they keep to the agreement, I'll give them the money. (what if, imagine, so long as)
1. You'll be alright if you take some travellers' cheques. (provided that, imagine, what if)
8. I'll complain to the manager if you don't give me a different room, (as long as, unless, imagine)
9. If all the hotels were full, were would we stay? (provided that, as long as, suppose)
8. Rewrite these sentenced using the conjunctions in brackets. Model: If you gave me $ 10, 000, I still (not go) down a coal
mine, (even if)
Even if you gave me $ 10, 000,1 still wouldn't go down
a coal mine.
1. I (lend) you my book if you let me have it back by Monday, [on (the) condition (that)]
2. If you look after it, I (let) you keep my bicycle till the weekend, [providing (that)]
3. If you (not tell) anyone else, I'll tell you what happened, (so long as)
4. If it (be) a holiday on Monday, we can drive to the seaside, [assuming (that)]
5. The children were never scolded if they (do) what they were told, (so long as)
9. Put in the right conditionals.
The Secret of a Long Life
Grygori Pilikian recently celebrated his 114th birthday and reporters visited him in his mountain village in Georgia to find out the secret of a long life. The secret of a long life, Grygori said, is happiness. If you (be) happy, you will live a long time. "Are you married?" a reporter asked. "Yes", Grygori replied. I married my third wife when I was 102. If you are happily married, you (live) for ever. But for my third wife, I (die) years ago. "What about smoking and drinking?" a reporter asked. "Yes, they are important", Grygori said. "Don't smoke at all and you (feel) well. Drink two glasses of wine a day and you (be) healthy and happy". "If you (can / live) your life again, what (you/do)?" a reporter asked. "I would do what I have done. If I had had more sense, I (eat) more yoghourt", he chuckled. "Supposing you (can / change) one thing in your life what (you / change)?" "Not much", Grygori replied. "So you don't have any regrets?" another reporter asked. "Yes, I have one regret", Grygori replied. "If I (know) I was going to live so long, I (look after) myself better!"
The Subjunctive Mood is also used:
(A) in subject clauses after a principal clause
| It | be | adjective | that | subject | Should + the infinitive |
| important | |||||
| is / are | necessary | you | |||
| essential | he | ||||
| It | was | desirable | that | she | (should) be |
| ordered | I | there | |||
| will be | suggested | we | |||
| required | they |
It is necessary that he (should) write an essay before taking an exam.
It is desirable that the students (should) take part in this research.
(B) in predicative clauses
1) introduced by as if, as though, when we find the link verbs to be, to feel, to look, to seem, etc. in the principal clause.
I feel as if you were my father.
It was as if he had done something wrong.
The Past Simple denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; the Past Perfect denotes an action prior to that of the principal clause
2) when the subject of the principal clause is expressed by wish, suggestion, idea, etc.
In this case the form should + the Infinitive is used.
(C) in object clauses
1) when the predicate of the principal clause is expressed by the verb to wish.
- We use wish with Past Tense forms (Simple and Continuous) to express regret about present situations:
/ wish you were more helpful. (= but you are not)
- We use wish with the Past Perfect when we have regrets about the past:
/ wish I hadn 't taken your advice. (= but I did)
- We use wish with would to say how we would like somebody to behave in the future. This expresses annoyance with a person or situation and a desire for a situation to change, either now or in the future.
/ wish you would stop talking. NOTE: If only
If only can be more emphatic than / wish. The verb forms after if only are the same as the patterns with wish: If only I had more money! (= but I haven't) If only you could be here! (= but you are not)
Here is a summary of patterns using wish:
| Verb form after wish | Time reference | Example (+ meaning) |
| Past Simple | present | / wish I knew the answer. (= I |
| don't know) | ||
| Past Simple | present | / wish I was/were better at sport. |
| (= I am not) | ||
| Past Continuous | present | / wish I was/were going with |
| you. (= I am not) | ||
| could | present | / wish I could give you an an- |
| swer. (= I can't) | ||
| would | future past | / wish you would be quiet. (= Your |
| talking irritates me) | ||
| Past Perfect | past | / wish I had known you then. (= but |
| I didn't) | ||
| Could have | / wish I could have explained. (= I | |
| wasn't able to) |
2) when the predicate in the principal clause is expressed by the following verbs:
ask prefer require
demand propose suggest
desire recommend
insist request
/ suggest that you should do it.
She insisted that they should give her a receipt.
He is anxious that everything should be ready by 5.
3) when the predicate in the principal clause is expressed by the verb denoting fear.
In this case the Subjunctive Mood is introduced by the conjunction lest.
She fears lest she should be punished.
(D) in attributive clauses modifying the noun time in the principal clause It is (high) time.
It is (high) time we went home.
In this case the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Simple.
(E) in different types of adverbial clauses,
in adverbial clauses of comparison (or manner) in particular after as if, as though.
She flushes as though he had struck her.
In this case the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Simple or the Past Perfect. The Past Simple denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; the Past Perfect denotes an action prior to that of the principal clause.
Practice A.
/. Explain the use of the verb forms in subject clauses subordinated to the principal clause with "it" as subject, translate the sentences into Russian.
\. It was important that he should call me as soon as possible. 2. It's absolutely essential that you shouldn't say a word. 3. It seemed necessary that his friends should be kept away from interfering with his work. 4. It was unlikely that he would take any steps against his brother. 5. After lunch it was proposed that they should all go to the lake. 6. It was important that they should come to an agreement. 7. It's not likely that they should exchange addresses. 8. It was agreed that he should be the first to speak. 9. It is advisable that she should have someone to look after her.
2. Change the sentences according to the model. Model: It is necessary to finish the work.
It is necessary that the work (should) be finished.
1. It is important to verify the date.
2. It is not necessary to take entrance examinations to be admitted to an American university.
3. It is important to speak with the dean immediately.
4. It is desirable for you to be there on time.
5. It is imperative for the Americans to file their tax forms by April 15.
6. It is necessary to sign your cheque before you cash it.
3. Supply the necessary forms for the verbs given in brackets in subject clauses subordinated to the principal clause with "it" as subject.
1. It's wonderful that they (to give) you a present. 2. It was arranged that his friend (to join) him in six months. 3. It was all wrong that someone so young (to be) so ill. 4. It is obviously necessary that an investigation (to make). 5. It's not fair that the girl (to send) to bed so early on a day like this. 6. It had long
been decided that I (to spend) a fourth year at Cambridge doin» psychology. 7. It was advisable that she (to continue) the treatment. 8. It was demanded that I (to tell) them all that had passed at the conference.
B.
1. Explain the use of the verb forms in the following predicative clauses.
1. He looked as if he knew it to be true. 2. His wish was that his mother should come and live with them. 3. His idea was that they should go on vacation to the Crimea. 4. It was as if she were angry with him. 5. His father's suggestion was that Mike should go on a tour of France. 6. The publisher sent me a letter with the request that I should write a review of the book. 7. But the most drastic demand the new owner made was that half the workmen should be fired at once. 8. I feel as we were back seven years. 9. She felt as if she had done something wrong.
2. Supply the necessary forms for the verbs given in brackets in the following predicative clauses.
1. It was as if she (to be) angry with me. 2. The trouble was that he (to move) out of the house. 3. The impression was that his family (to be) rather indifferent to him. 4. My desire was that he (to leave) off his work and go on a holiday. 5. Dick's suggestion was that she (to dismiss) her taxi and ride back with him. 6. He felt uneasy as if he (to do) something wrong. 7. His only request was that he (to allow) to visit his son. 8. She was filled with a great desire that her husband (to see) her new dress. 9. The house looked as though it (to be empty) for years.
C.
1. Rephrase these sentences using I wish + past simple. Model: I'd love to live in Australia. I wish I lived in Australia.
1. Why don't we go away more often?
2. I'd love to be a film star.
3. Why don't we have a bigger house?
4. I'd love to speak more languages.
5. I'd love to be able to cook.
6. Why is the school so expensive?
7.1 never have enough money: it would be nice to have more. 8.1 hate having to do homework every night.
2. Rephrase these sentences using I wish + past perfect. Model: I decided to work in London.
I wish I hadn't decided to work in London.
1. We went to live with my parents in Surrey. 2.1 decided to stop working as a bus driver.
3. We put our money into a grocery shop.
4. We borrowed £3,000 to start the business.
5. We didn't realize that a supermarket was opening nearby.
6. The grocery shop closed down.
7. We lost all our money.
8. It was a mistake to leave Manchester.
3. Mr and Mrs Reynolds are worried about their children. Say what that want them to do, using I wish + would.
Model: John never comes home before twelve o'clock.
I wish John would come home before twelve o'clock.
1. Peter doesn't wash very often.
2. Susan isn't working very hard for her exams.
3. John doesn't help with the housework.
4. I'd like Peter to give up smoking.
5. Sheila takes too many days off work.
6.1 don't like John playing football all the time.
7. Sheila and Susan are very unkind to Peter.
8. John doesn't wear a tie very often.
4. Match the description with the correct form.
1. To talk about something in the past which you can't change now you use.
a. Wish + simple past (I wish you did X)
2. To make a request for change in the future or to talk about possible future change you use.
3. To express a dream about changing something which exists you use.
b. Wish + past perfect (I wish you had done X)
c. Wish + would (I wish you would do X)
5. Read the sentences. Which tense is used to express unreality about the present? Which tense expresses unreality about the past?
1. I wish I had been born more intelligent.
2. I wish I lived in a warmer climate.
3. I wish I had listened to my mother's advice.
4. I wish I were stronger.
5. If only I had never started smoking!
6. If only I were more lucky!
7. I wish you could speak to me.
6. Here are some wishes for the present or future. Choose three that you share, and add one or more.
I wish it was cooler/warmer. I wish it was the end of the lesson. I wish I was at home. I wish I could dance/play the piano. I wish I had more friends/time. If only I spoke better Russian! If only I knew more people! If only people were more honest!
If only the government would do something about unemployment!
7. Match the two halves of these sentences.
1. Henry wishes a. that they didn't have to move so soon
because they haven't found another place yet.
2. I wish b. that you could change your mind abojt
leaving tomorrow.
3. Mary wishes c. that we would have invested our money
in the stock market last year.
4. They wished d. that he got better grades, but he isn't
willing to study harder.
5. We wish e. that she studied law instead of history
when she was in college.
6. We wish f. that snow would stop soon.
8. Write these sentences, choosing the correct verb tenses. Model: I wish it (stopped / would stop) raining. I wish it would stop raining.
1. I wish (I knew / I'd know) the answer to your question.
2. I wish you (wouldn't be / aren't) so rude.
3. I wish (they visited / they'd visited) us when they were in town.
4. I wish (I'd speak /1 spoke) better French.
5. I wish they (hadn't been / wouldn't have been) so unfriendly.
6. I wish (I've refused / I'd refused) when you suggested the idea.
7. I wish (I had / would have) more time to do this job.
8. I wish she (would / had) come to work on time in future.
9. Match each wish with the most appropriate ending, a or b.
1. I wish it didn't rain so much in Belarus.
2. I wish it hadn't rained so much in Belarus.
3. I wish you would listen to me;
4. I wish you had listened to me;
a. then we could have seen much more.
b. then we could spend our holiday there.
a. I could help you so much.
b. I could have helped you so much.
10. What would you say? Use I wish... would/wouldn't to give an appropriate sentence for each situation. Model: Your brother plays very loud music while you are doing your homework.
You say, "I wish you wouldn't play loud music while I'm doing my homework".
a. You are on a long walk. Your sister is walking very slowly.
b. A friend has got you into trouble by talking to you in class again.
c. One of the students in your class always speaks softly when he answers a question and you can't hear the answer.
d. Your brother always borrows your favourite jeans when you want to wear them.
11. Imagine that you are the people in these situations and make sentences with I wish + simple past or I wish + would for each of these situations.
a. Tom is miserable because his sister has new sneakers but he hasn't.
b. Alison read in the papers that they are still killing whales. She wants them to stop.
c. John is unhappy. He hates his job.
d. Ann wants a job in a hotel but they want someone who speaks German. She can't.
e. Andrew is a painter but he wants to be a famous singer.
f. Jack is a farmer. The weather is hot and dry and it hasn't rained in months.
g. Tom wants to be able to play the guitar.
h. Ann smokes thirty cigarettes a day. She wants to give up.
12. Give situations in which you can use the following wishes.
1. I wish you could speak to me.
2. I wish you would speak to me.
3. I wish you would buy me a walkman.
4. I wish you had bought me a walkman.
5. I wish you would get your hair cut.
6. I wish you had shorter hair.
13. Read about Tom's Monday morning blues in column A. Join a regret in A with a wish in B. One line in В is used twice.
