Subjunctive in English. Subjunctive mood in English (Conditional Mood)

It is believed that sentences with a particle would, are subjunctive and relate to unrealistic or unlikely conditions.

They express:

• opportunity - I could...
• conjecture – I would buy….
• desirability – I would like….

Below we will consider two types of offers:

1. unlikely conditions relating to the present or future tense (Second Conditional)
2. incredible (impossible) conditions, related to the past (Third Conditional)

1.Second Conditional

Let's first consider unlikely conditions relating to the present or future.These are conditional sentences of the second type or Second Conditional.

EXAMPLE. I would go for a walk if the weather was good.

This sentence refers to the present or future tense (you can substitute the words - today, tomorrow). At the moment of speech it is unreal, but under certain conditions it can still happen. For example, the weather will change in the evening.

Sentence Schemes (Second Conditional)

EXAMPLE. If the weather were good, I would go for a walk.

Instead of would you can use could, should, might (in meaning).

ADVICE. Learn a little dialogue to remember which forms of the verb are used inSecond Conditional.

— What would you do if you had a boat?

— I would sail in it, of course.

—Where would you sail?

—I would sail across the Atlantic if my boat were big enough.

— What would you do if your parents didn’t let you sail?

—I would run away from home, I suppose.

What would you do if you had a boat?
-I would swim in it.
-Where would you swim?
-If my boat were big, I would sail across the Atlantic Ocean.
-But what would you do if your parents didn’t allow you to swim?
-I guess I would run away from home.

Remember the expression If I were you, I would... - If I were you, I would...

This is all theory. Now do exercises on Second Conditional.

Subjunctive mood in English. Exercises

Conditional sentences of type 2. Second Conditional (exercises)

Exercise 1. Translate from English.

1. If it didn’t rain, we would go for a walk.
2. If we had a camera, we could take pictures of the beautiful scenery.
3. If there were any sugar left, we should not have to go to the shop.
4. If I knew him, I should ask his advice.
5. If you did not have a toothache, you would enjoy the party.
6. If you were not so absent-minded, you would not make so many mistakes.
7. If you rang me up, I should know you were in trouble.
8. If you watched the cat, it wouldn’t eat the fish.
9. If it were not so late, we would go to see them.
10. If I were you, I would read the book.

Exercise 2. Say that the action being referred to would have been performed if the condition had been met.

Example. If I have time, I will do it. – If I had time, I would do it.

1. If I work hard, I will pass the exams.
2. If there is hot water, I’ll have a bath.
3. If you get up early, you’ll be in time.
4. If I have a lot of money, I will go on a trip around the world.
5. If I have a lot of time, I will take music lessons.

Exercise 3. Open the brackets using the subjunctive mood (second condition)

1. If I... (be) you, I... (write) to her.
2. If I … (be) taller, I … (play) in a basketball team.
3. If you... (stay) longer, you... (meet) my parents.
4. If she... (not eat) so much, she... (be) slimmer.
5. If he... (not see) them, he... (not know) the truth.
6. What ... you ... (do) if you ... (see) him?
7. What … you … (do) if you … (have) million dollars?
8. If they... (have) million dollars, they... (travel) around the world.
9. What... you... (do) if you...(lose) your key?
10. If I... (lose) my key, I... (call) my parents.

* * *

2. Third Conditional

Now let's consider incredible (impossible) conditions related to the past tense.These are conditional sentences of the third type or Third Conditional

EXAMPLE. If the weather had been good yesterday, I would have gone for a walk.

The sentence refers to the past and is therefore an impossible (improbable) condition. The action can no longer take place - the opportunity is lost.

Third Conditional Sentence Schemes

Conditional sentences of 3 types. Third Conditional (exercises)

Exercise 1 . Translate from English.

1. If it hadn’t rained yesterday, we would have gone for a walk.
2. If we had had a camera during our trip to the USA, we could have taken pictures of the beautiful scenery.
3. If there hadn’t been any sugar left, we would not have gone to the shop late at night.
4. If you had not had a toothache last night, you would have enjoyed the party.
5. If you had not been so absent-minded at the last lesson, you would not have made so many mistakes in your test.
6. If you had rung me up yesterday, I should have known you were in trouble.
7. If you had watched the cat, it wouldn’t have eaten the fish.
8. If it hadn’t been so late, we would have gone to see them.
9. If I had had more time, I would have done the test better.
10. If you hadn't left the child alone, she would have broken the vase.

Exercise 2. Say that if the condition mentioned would have been met yesterday, then the action was performed.

Example. If I had time, I would do it. – If I had had time yesterday (last year), I would have done it.

1. If I worked hard, I would pass the exams.
2. If there were any hot water, I would have a bath.
3. If you got up early, you would be in time.
4. If I had a lot of money, I would go on a trip around the world.
5. If I had a lot of time, I would take music lessons.

Exercise 3. Open the brackets using the subjunctive mood (third condition)

1. If he wasn't broken his bicycle, he would… (go) to the country.
2. If I hadn't had a bad headache yesterday, I could… (come) to see you.
3. If the ship… (not sail) near the coast, it would not have struck a rock.
4. If he... (be) in town, he would have been present at our meeting.
5. If the road... (not be) so slippery, I... (not fall) and hurt my leg.
6. If they .. (make) a fire, the wolves … (run) away.
7. If I... (expect) my friend to come, I... (not go) to the cinema.
8. If I … (have) a dictionary, I … (translate) the article yesterday.
9. If we... (get) a letter from him, we... (not worry).
10. If she … (come) home late last night, her father … (be) angry.

That's not all! Of course that's not all subjunctive exercises. By following the link, you will find more to practice and consolidate the topic “The Subjunctive Mood”.

Agree, it would be great if, in addition to simple constructions, we could compose expressions containing conditions - like in this very sentence. Well, we already have a sufficient grammatical base to be able to figure out how this is done in English, so, as they say, let’s begin with prayer.

9.1 General information

Mood is a grammatical category that reflects the characteristics of the modality of the verb, such as: reality, possibility, probability, ability, desire, order, etc. For example, in Russian there is a distinction between indicative (for example, I say), conditional/subjunctive ( would say) and imperative ( speak) inclinations. In English the situation is much the same, with the difference that the morphological differences between moods are either absent or very slight. In this lesson, we will be interested not so much in the moods themselves, but in the features of their inclusion in conditional constructions, and only then we will dwell in a little more detail on other ways of using them.

9.2 Conditional sentence structure

Conditional sentences in English can take different forms, but the most common conditional grammatical construction corresponds very closely to that in our language:

If Condition, (then) Statement- If Condition, (That) Statement.

Here are some examples:

• If it rains, many people prefer to stay home— If it rains, many people prefer to stay at home.
• If you buy this tablet, I will give you a free case for it— If you buy this tablet, I will give you a free case for it.
• If I had the tools, I could fix the car myself— If I had the right tools, I could fix the car myself.

Over the course of the following paragraphs, we will consider conditional sentences of this very typical structure. But even if we limit ourselves to such a strict framework, we will be faced with a huge number of variations, each of which has its own shades of meaning, peculiarities of use and, of course, its own exceptions - where would we be without them.

9.3 Types of conditional sentences

Due to the rich variety of constructions containing conditions, conditional sentences can be classified in many ways, which is reflected in the variety of classification schemes proposed by linguists. Fortunately, one of them has become quite widespread, and it is this that we will take as a basis, especially since this scheme allows us to draw clear parallels between our two languages, especially in terms of the relationship of grammatical tenses.

So, the proposed model divides conditional sentences into four types, called zero, first, second and third, respectively. The classification does not shine with the expressiveness of its names, but what are they rich in? The model is based on a comparison of the temporal forms of two components: conditions and statements.

9.3.1 Type 0

Type 0

If Present , (then) Present

Semantic characteristics: General dependencies, cause-and-effect relationships

• If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck- If something looks like a duck walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's most likely There is duck.
• If I stay at work late, my drive home is much shorter- If I Working late then I'm getting there getting home is much faster.

Note: This type is characterized by the possibility of semantic replacement if(if on when(when) and vice versa.

• If you know his email, send him a happy birthday note- If you are You know his email, send Happy birthday to him.

Option: Continuous present tense in condition and/or statement

Option: Present perfect in condition and/or statement

Option: Present tense modals in condition and/or statement

• If you can read this, you are following too closely- If you you can This read, You hold on too close. (inscription on the bumper)
• If you have lost the keys, you should replace your locks as soon as possible- If you lost keys for you should be replaced locks as soon as possible.
• If you are reading this, you must have woken up now- If you are you're reading these lines mean you already there must be, awoke.

9.3.2 First type (Type I)

Type I

If Present , (then) Future

Semantic characteristic: Forecast, promise

• If you sit by the river long enough, you will see the body of your enemy float by- If you will for a long time sit on the river bank then you'll see, as the corpse of your enemy floats by. (Sun Tzu)
• If you bring some ricotta, I will make lasagna for dinner- If grab it ricotta, I I'll do it lasagna for dinner.

Note: When translating sentences of this type into Russian, both the condition and the statement are usually expressed in the future tense.

Never, never say" if you will do something", meaning "if you you will do something"! Just say: " if you do something".

Option: Imperative mood in a statement

• If you find a good deal on travel insurance, let me know - If you'll find good option for travel insurance, give to me know.

Although the formula of this option is the same for conditional sentences of the zero and first types, they should nevertheless be distinguished by their semantic content, since the choice of tense form when translating into Russian depends on this; To do this, you need to pay attention to the meaning of the verb in the condition. So, in the section on the null type, we had this example:

• If you know - If you are You know

We interpreted it this way because the verb to know translated as “to know”, but it does not mean “to find out, find out”. Accordingly, to convey the semantic meaning of “if you find out,” another verb would be used - for example, to find("find, find out"):

• If you find his email, send him a happy birthday note- If you'll find out his email, send him a happy birthday.

9.3.3 Second type (Type II)

Type II

If Past , (then) Would/Could + Infinitive

Semantic characteristic: Hypothetical possibility

• If I studied harder, I would have better marks- If would I was studying harder for me would be higher grades.
• If grandma had balls, she would be grandpa- If would by Grandma were eggs, she would be grandfather.

Note: When translating sentences of this type into Russian, both the condition and the statement are usually expressed in the subjunctive mood.

Note: In sentences of the second type was in the condition is replaced by were:

• If I were younger, I would ask you out- If would I was If I were younger, I would ask you out on a date.

Option: Modal verb Could in condition

• If I could ride a bike, I would join your bike tour- If would I knew how ride a bike, I would join your bike ride.

9.3.4 Third type (Type III)

Type III

If Past Perfect , (then) Would/Could + Present Perfect

Semantic characteristic: Unrealized opportunity

• If you had listened to me, we would have been home now- If would you me listened, We would now already were Houses.
• If the weather had been better yesterday, I would have gone fishing- If would weather yesterday was better, I I'd go go fishing.

9.4 Castling rule

In most cases, the condition and statement can be freely interchanged. The only rule you need to know is to remove the comma in the inverse scheme:

• If cows could fly, we would need stronger umbrellas“If cows could fly, we would need stronger umbrellas.”
• We would need stronger umbrellas if cows could fly— We would need stronger umbrellas if cows could fly.

9.5 Negation in conditional sentences

Both the condition and the statement can contain a negation, which is formed according to the same general rules that we discussed in the corresponding section.

• If I go fishing tomorrow, I will not be home until late- If I go fishing tomorrow, I will not until the evening.
• If you don't need this player, I will gladly take it- If you not needed this player, I will gladly take it.

9.6 Subjunctive mood

As promised at the beginning of this section, we will now talk a little about the subjunctive mood itself. In a nutshell, it is a verb form expressing a possibility or desire, which is formed according to the formula would + infinitive and is translated into Russian by a combination of the form verb + would.

We have already seen how the subjunctive mood is used in conditional sentences. Another common variant is constructions with specific verbs ( suggest, insist, require, etc.) and adjectives ( important, essential, recommended).

• I suggest that you see the doctor- I I suggest, to You went to the doctor = I suggest you go to the doctor.
• We insist that you leave the premises- We we insist, to You left room.
• Our return policy requires that the merchandise be in its original packaging— Our return policy requires, to product was in original packaging.

Likewise for adjectives.

• It is important that passengers obey the safety rules — Important, to passengers complied with safety regulations.
• We consider it essential that all reports be submitted on time- We guess significant, to all reports served on time.

Please note that the verb in the subjunctive mood in such constructions is used in the form of a “bare” infinitive ( Bare Infinitive).

Conclusion

During today's lesson, we learned that conditional sentences in English are very similar to ours, with the difference that the tense forms used do not always translate one to the other. How exactly they are translated depends on the type of sentence according to the classification we have adopted, which identifies four options for the relationship of tenses in the condition and statement. We looked at all four types and found out what shades of meaning each of them conveys.

We also touched on the subjunctive mood and got an idea of ​​what it means and how it is used outside of conditional structures.

All that remains for us to do is to learn how complex sentences are constructed, and with this the process of laying the grammatical foundation can be considered complete.

Friends, before delving into this topic, we would like to make a short preamble. If you have just started learning, if you continue to improve English, if you are learning the language for communication or just for yourself (book series), this topic will not be useful to you. This is the reality of this topic, it May be will be useful to philologists. language, people who work with official English or people who are facing a serious international exam. So really evaluate whether you need to dive into this material.

We will look at this topic from two perspectives: American English and British English, but we will start with a general approach. So, the subjunctive mood is used to convey an unreal action: it is an action that may be possible, desired or imaginary (unreal). Old English had many forms of the subjunctive mood, but in modern English all these old forms have been replaced:

• On forms using should / would and other modal verbs
• Forms using past tenses
• The subjunctive mood can also be expressed by simple verb forms.

Let's start with the American position, since it gives a broad idea of ​​​​this topic, while the British use only certain parts of it.

Subjunctive I (Old subjunctive forms without auxiliary verbs)	Present Subjunctive I	Indicates an action as desirable or undesirable and can express a request, wish, demand, proposal in the present, future or past.
	Past Subjunctive	It is used mainly in subordinate clauses (after a conjunction) and is found in both written and spoken language.
	Past Perfect Subjunctive	This form shows unreal events of the past. The action in this subjunctive form, of course, did not happen in the past. This may be a missed opportunity in the past.
Subjunctive II (Modern forms of the subjunctive mood with auxiliary verbs)	Present Subjunctive II	Means the same as Present Subjunctive I
	Perfect Subjunctive II	Means the same as Past Perfect Subjunctive

Subjunctive I

Present Subjunctive I

Indicates an action as desirable or undesirable and can express a request, wish, demand, proposal in the present, future or past.

How to work with a verb:

form Present Subjunctive= infinitive form without to (do, have, go, be)

Features of working with a verb: if we have 3rd person unit numbers(he, she, it), we we don't add ending -s / -es to the verb, as we always do in Present Simple. In addition, we we don't conjugate to be (there will be no forms am, is, are, was, were)

Even if the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, this does not affect the form of the verb in the subjunctive mood.

In what cases to use:

• Construction It is / was + adjective which expresses necessity, importance or that something must be done + that
  (examples of such adjectives: vital, desirable, important, essential, imperative, necessary, impossible, required, demanded, strange, crucial, recommended, as well as it is / was a good idea and it is / was bad idea).
• We also use this type of subjunctive mood after the following verbs: insist, suggest, recommend, order, command, ask, demand, propose, request, advise, urge.
• In exclamatory sentences that express a wish or hope (often these are set expressions; we will look at examples below).

It is important that he attend this business meeting. – It is important that he be present at this business meeting. (subject he, but predicate attend without ending -s)

It is vital that everyone come 10 minutes before the exam. – It is important that everyone arrives 10 minutes before the exam starts.

It was imperative that you be at 4 pm. – It was necessary that you be there at 4 pm. (the case when the verb in the main clause is in the past tense, but still we do not change to be)

It is necessary that she complete this file. –

My boss insisted that I rewrite one business letter. – My boss insisted that I rewrite a business letter.

The doctor recommended that my dad take the medicine regularly. –

She suggests that we all go to the movies. –

My teacher advised that I don’t shirk the lessons. – My teacher advised me not to skip classes. (Pay attention to how the negation is constructed - simply with the word not after the subject)

Rest in peace! – Rest in peace! (stable exclamation expressions)

Bless you! - Be healthy!

God save the Queen! – God save the queen!

The examples given above relate to business language; for the colloquial version, native speakers may well (and most likely will) use the construction should + infinitive. Everything is the same as what we considered above only with should (except for stable expressions), and as we see in the table, the formula with should is already called Present Subjunctive II, we conclude that this is the same thing, but should is a more modern category, which means that simple speakers will say this more often.

For example:

She suggests that we all should go to the movies. – She suggests that we all go to the cinema.

It is necessary that she should complete this file. – It is necessary that she complete this file.

The doctor recommended that my dad should take the medicine regularly. – The doctor recommended that my father take the medicine regularly.

Past Subjunctive

Denotes an unrealistic action that contradicts reality.

It is used mainly in subordinate clauses (after a conjunction) and is found in both written and spoken language.

How to work with a verb:

Past Subjunctive = Past Simple(did, had, went) (simple past tense) with the only exception to be will have the form were for all persons (that is, the form was, as in Past Simple Here No)

In what cases to use:

• When we talk about an unreal action that relates to the present or the future.
• Second type of conditional sentences: If + Past Simple(form Past Simple for all verbs, to be only in the form were), would + infinitive without to.
• In sentences with the construction I wish, when we talk about the unreal present.

If only I knew her better! – If only I knew her better! (the action is unrealistic, since I don’t know her better, this is just my desire)

If I came he would lend me some money. – If I had come, he would have lent me money. (II type of conditional sentence)

If I were home I would help you. – If I were at home, I would help you. (II type of conditional sentence)

I wish you were here. – It's a pity you're not here. (I wish you were here)

I wish I knew how to translate this text. – I would like to know how to translate this text. (It's a pity that I don't know how to translate this text)

It’s high time she knew how to cook this soup. – It's about time she knew how to make this soup. (The action is unreal and relates to the present)

He looked as if he were 20 years old. – He looks like he is 20 years old. (But in reality he is, for example, 30)

Past Perfect Subjunctive

This form shows unreal events of the past. The action in this subjunctive form, of course, did not happen in the past. This may be a missed opportunity in the past.

How to work with a verb:

Past Perfect Subjunctive = Past Perfect: had + III verb form or verb ending -ed

In what cases to use:

• When we talk about an unreal action that relates exclusively to the past.
• The third type of conditional sentence. Third type of conditional: If + Past Perfect, would have + III verb form(if correct, then the ending is -ed, if incorrect, then the third column in the table of irregular verbs).
• In sentences with the construction I wish, when we talk about an unreal event in the past.

I wish she had arrived on time. – It's a pity that she didn't arrive on time. (I wish she would have arrived on time, but she didn't and that's a thing of the past)

I wish I had offered her that position. – I wish I had offered her that position. (I wish I could change the past and offer her that position, but it's too late)

She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder. – She would have passed the exam if she had studied harder. (III type of conditional sentences: but she didn’t try and didn’t pass and this refers to the past)

If I had known you were so busy, I would not have called you. – If I had known you were so busy, I wouldn't have called you. (III type of conditional sentence)

She seems as if she hadn’t slept for 2 days. – She looks like she hasn't slept in 2 days. (She looks like this, but in fact she was sleeping, the action refers to the unreal past)

Subjunctive II

Present Subjunctive II

Means the same as Present Subjunctive I.

How to work with a verb:

infinitive without to

Duplicates all cases (except for set expressions) in Present Subjunctive I.

In the second type of conditional sentences.

For example:

She wanted that daughter should marry him. – She wanted her daughter to marry him.

If she came to the party she would be bored. – If she came to the party, she would be bored. (II type of conditional sentences)

It’s impossible that he would come for Christmas. – It's impossible for him to come for Christmas.

She suggested that we all should go to the cinema. – She suggested that we all go to the cinema.

It’s strange that my relatives should believe in that. – It's strange that my relatives believe this.

Perfect Subjunctive II

Means the same as Past Perfect Subjunctive.

How to work with a verb:

should (would, could, might) + perfect infinitive(have + III verb form or a verb ending in -ed).

In what cases to use:

• Construction It is / was + adjective which expresses necessity, importance or that something must be done + that
  (examples of such adjectives: vital, desirable, important, essential, imperative, necessary, impossible, required, demanded, strange, crucial, recommended, as well as it is/was a good idea and it is/was bad idea)
• We also use this type of subjunctive mood after the following verbs: insist, suggest, recommend, order, command, ask, demand, propose, request, advise, urge.
• In subordinate clauses that express feelings of joy, surprise, regret, etc.
• In the third type of conditional sentences.

It is doubtful that he would have cheated during the exam. – It is doubtful that he cheated during the exam.

It’s a pity that you should have broken your leg. – What a pity you broke your leg.

It’s a pity that you should have made so many mistakes. – What a pity that you made so many mistakes.

I am sorry that everything should have happened like that. – I'm sorry this happened.

She is happy that he should have done that for her. – She is happy that he did this for her.

If I hadn’t left my kid home alone, he wouldn’t have found a box of matches. – If I had not left the child at home alone, he would not have found the box of matches.

Now let's look at this mood from a British point of view

First rule: in a sentence with the conjunction that, after words that express that something is important or desirable (example of such words: suggest, recommend, ask, insist, vital, essential, important, advice) we use the present tense Present Simple with one exception we Not add the ending -s / -es to the verb in 3 face units numbers(he speaks, she eats, it has). In the context of this topic, we forget it). And one more point here: no matter whether the main clause is expressed in the present or past tense (It is important or it was important), you will still have an infinitive without the to particle in the subordinate clause (that is, in the part that comes after that). It is also worth remembering that such proposals sound very official. Let's look at examples:

It is essential that every child have the same educational opportunities. – It is essential that every child has the same educational opportunities.

(See how the rule works in practice: there must be a phrase at the front of the sentence (here it is essential), which would give us the right to say after 3 l. units numbers child Not has, but have, without this phrase it will no longer be a subjunctive and your sentence will simply be grammatically incorrect).

It was important that Mark contact Mary as soon as possible. –

(Here the past tense is in the main clause It was important, but in the subordinate clause there is still an infinitive and without the ending -s).

My advice is that the company invest in new professional staff. – My advice is for the company to invest in a new professional workforce.

Let us separately highlight the rule for to be. In essence, this is the same rule as in the first paragraph, but speakers place the emphasis on to be. So, you need to remember that in the subjunctive mood after the same words: suggest, recommend, ask, insist, vital, essential, important, advice we Not conjugate to be (there will be no forms am, is, are, was, were). Examples:

I insist that she be here. – I insist that she be here.
It was important that you be ready. – It was important that you were prepared.

A big part of this whole topic is conditionals (if clauses) and the British believe that it is this part of the subjunctive mood that they use most often. These particular sentences no longer sound formal, this is just spoken English (which is why conditional sentences seem to exist separately from this topic).

If he were my teacher, I would be the happiest student in the world. – If he were my teacher, I would be the happiest student in the world.

(As you can see, the logic of the subjunctive mood is preserved, namely, that the action is unreal, desired. We pay special attention to the form to be; in the second type of conditional sentences, we use the form were for all persons - I were, she were, we were).

She wouldn’t have entered that university if her parents hadn’t insisted on that. – She would not have entered that university if her parents had not insisted on it.

(This is the third type of conditional sentences, you just need to learn the rules for constructing conditional sentences and there will be no problems).

The British also like to use sentences with the word wish, which is also part of the subjunctive mood, since we are again expressing an unreal thought. All rules are the same as those we considered for the American version.

I wish it were Friday. – I wish it was Friday (I wish it was Friday).
I wish she were healthy. – I wish she were healthy (It's a pity that she is sick).
I wish you had come on time. – I wish you would have come on time (It's a pity that you were late).
I wish she hadn’t called me yesterday. – I wish she didn't call me yesterday (I wish she called me yesterday).

And the last case where the British consider it appropriate to use the subjunctive mood is in fixed phrases. Examples:

God save the Queen! – God save the queen!
God bless you. - Be healthy.
Heaven forbid! - God forbid!
So be it. - Let it be so.
Long live peace throughout the world! – Long live peace in the world!

And as a separate point, we must discuss the point that what is a subjunctive mood for an American is a simple sentence with a modal verb for a British person.

It is necessary that she buy some food. – It is necessary that she buy food.

We can also say:

It is necessary that she should buy some food.

For an American it is the subjunctive mood, but for a Brit it is simply a sentence with the modal verb should. In fact, both options are correct, just from the point of view of grammar this is a different topic (modal verbs).

Moreover, the British may try to avoid all these subjunctive rules and construct sentences with as much familiar grammar as possible. Let's get a look:

It is essential that every child has the same educational opportunities. – It is vital that every child has the same opportunities to learn.

It was important that Mark contacted Mary as soon as possible. – It was important that Mark contact Mary as quickly as possible.

In these examples we see the usual forms of verbs, and this means only one thing - the subjunctive mood requires an excessive amount of formality and officialdom, and people do not speak like that in everyday life, so you can easily hear simplified formulas. That is why we say once again that this is not a topic that you will immediately hear from a foreigner, even from a native speaker, and if you hear it, then most likely it will be some set phrases, conditional sentences or formulas with wish.

Exercises

Exercise No. 1

Put the verb in the correct form

1. Your boss has demanded that you do this work as soon as possible. Your boss demanded that you this work as soon as possible.
2. You asked us to come to your office during the day. You asked that we to your office in the afternoon.
3. Doctors recommend that you smoke less in the next month. The doctors recommend that you less next month.
4. I suggest that we go to Europe by car. I suggest that we to Europe by car.
5. My father insisted that we buy tickets online. My father insisted that we tickets online.
6. It is imperative that your aunt see a doctor immediately. It is necessary that your aunt a doctor immediately.
7. Is it advisable for me to invite your friend to my birthday? Is it desirable that I your friend to my birthday?
8. They ordered that everyone be informed about this problem. They announced that everyone about this problem. (everybody - all, everyone; to inform - inform, notify; about - about;)
9. It is very important that you understand English. It is very important that you English speech.
10. I advise you to learn foreign languages ​​with me. I suggest that you foreign languages ​​with me.
11. It is imperative that we return home the day after tomorrow. It is essential that we home the day after tomorrow.
12. She suggested that you leave the country. She proposed that you the country.
13. It is impossible for them to come to America without a visa. It is impossible that they to America without a visa.
14. Our partners request that they be in the room during the discussion. Our partners request that they in the room during the discussion.
15. She asked that the report be ready yesterday. She asked that the report ready yesterday.
16. It's a pity that I don't speak English fluently. I wish I English fluently.
17. I wish you could smoke outside. I wish you outside.
18. It's a pity that I don't have a car. I wish I a car.
19. I wish you could come to my birthday tomorrow.I wish you come to my birthday tomorrow. (can – be able (modal verb); come – come; birthday – birthday; tomorrow – tomorrow)
20. It's a shame you're not here with me. I wish you here with me.
21. It's a shame she didn't come to New York last year. I wish she to New York last year.
22. He wishes the rain would stop. He wishes that the rain .
23. It's a pity that I didn't help her yesterday. I wish I her yesterday.
24. It's a pity that it's not summer now. I wish it summer now.
25. They wish they had more money. They wish they more money.
26. It's a pity that he doesn't listen to me carefully. I wish he me attentive
27. I wish she didn't invite him to that party. I wish she him to that party.
28. He would like his apartment to be in the city center. He wishes his apartment in the city center.
29. It's a pity that I don't know her name. I wish I her name
30. She wants me to give her money. She wishes I her money.
31. If only my daughter were here with me now! If only my daughter here with me now!
32. If only I had known the truth at that time! If only I the truth at that time!
33. If only he could visit his parents more often! If only he visit his parents more often!
34. If only your friend had listened to us then! If only your friend to us then!
35. If only we left for the airport on time! If only we for the airport on time!
36. If only she could pass this difficult exam! If only she this difficult exam!
37. If only the weather were better now! If only the weather better now!
38. If only this beautiful girl were not married! If only this beautiful girl married!
39. If only I understood this foreigner! If only I this foreigner!
40. If only I knew where to go! If only I where to go!
41. If only he hadn't sold his apartment then! If only he his apartment then!
42. If only she had sent a letter to her best friend! If only she a letter to her best friend!
43. If only I knew the answer to this question! If only I the answer to this question!
44. If only it hadn't snowed yesterday! If only it yesterday!
45. If only I had learned German as a child! If only I German in my childhood!

Check Clear

  Listen to answers

Exercise No. 2

Enter the translation of the word or phrase

1. Your boss that you do this work .
2. You that we come to your office .
3. The doctors that you smoke .
4. I that we go to Europe .
5. My father that we buy online.
6. It is that's your consult a doctor .
7. Is it that I invite your friend to my ?
8. They that should be informed about this problem.
9. It is that you understand English .
10. I what you learn with me.
11. It is that we return .
12. She that you leave the .
13. It is that they come to America .
14. Our partners that they be in the the .
15. She that the report be .
16. I wish I spoke English .
17. I wish you would smoke .
18. I wish I had a .
19. I wish you could come to my .
20. I wish you were .
21. I wish she had come to New York .
22. He wishes that the would stop.
23. I wish I had helped her .
24. I wish it were .
25. They wish they had .
26. I wish he listened to me .
27. I wish she hadn't invited him .
28. He wishes him were in the .
29. I wish I knew her .
30. She wishes I would give her .
31. If only my were !
32. If only I had known the !
33. If only he could his parents !
34. If only your had listened to us !
35. If only we had left for the airport !
36. If only she would pass this !
37. If only the were !
38. If only this were not married!
39. If only I understood this !
40. If only I knew !
41. If only he hadn't sold him !
42. If only she would send a to her !
43. If only I knew the !
44. If only it hadn't snowed !
45. If only I had learned German in my !

Check Clear

  Listen to answers

Exercise No. 3

Translate from Russian to English

1. Your boss has demanded that you do this work as soon as possible. (boss - boss; to demand - demand; to do - do; work - work; as soon as possible - as soon as possible)
2. You asked us to come to your office during the day. (ask - ask; to come - come; in the afternoon - during the day)
3. Doctors recommend that you smoke less in the next month. (doctor - doctor; to recommend - recommend; to smoke - smoke; less - less; next month - next month)
4. I suggest that we go to Europe by car. (to suggest - offer; to go - go; by car - by car, by car)
5. My father insisted that we buy tickets online. (father - father; to insist - insist; to buy online - buy on the Internet; ticket - ticket)
6. It is imperative that your aunt see a doctor immediately. (necessary - necessary; aunt - aunt; to consult a doctor - consult a doctor; immediately - immediately)
7. Is it advisable for me to invite your friend to my birthday? (desirable - desirable; to invite - invite; friend - friend; birthday - birthday)
8. They ordered that everyone be informed about this problem. (to order - to order; everybody - everyone, everyone; to inform - to inform, notify; about - about;)
9. It is very important that you understand English. (important - important; very - very; understand - understand; speech - speech)
10. I advise that you learn foreign languages ​​with me. (to suggest - advise; learn - teach; foreign - foreign; language - language)
11. It is imperative that we return home the day after tomorrow. (essential - important; to return home - return home; the day after tomorrow - the day after tomorrow)
12. She suggested that you leave the country. (to propose - offer; to leave - leave, leave; country - country)
13. It is impossible for them to come to America without a visa. (impossible - impossible; to come - to come; without - without;)
14. Our partners request that they be in the room during the discussion. (to request - to ask; to be - to be; room - room; during - during; discussion - discussion)
15. She asked that the report be ready yesterday. (to ask - to ask; report - report; to be ready - to be ready; yesterday - yesterday)
16. It's a pity that I don't speak English fluently. (to speak - speak; fluently - freely)
17. I wish you could smoke outside. (to smoke - smoke; outside - on the street)
18. It's a pity that I don't have a car. (to have – to have; car – car;)
19. I wish you could come to my birthday tomorrow. (come – to come; birthday – birthday; tomorrow – tomorrow)
20. It's a shame you're not here with me. (to be - to be; here - here; with - s)
21. It's a shame she didn't come to New York last year (to come - to come; last year - last year)
22. He wishes the rain would stop. (rain - rain; to stop - stop;)
23. It's a pity that I didn't help her yesterday. (to help - help; yesterday - yesterday)
24. It's a pity that it's not summer now. (to be - to be; summer - summer; now - now)
25. They wish they had more money. (to have - to have; more - more; money - money)
26. It's a pity that he doesn't listen to me carefully. (to listen to - listen; attentively - carefully)
27. I wish she hadn't invited him to that party. (to invite - to invite; that - that, that; party - party)
28. He would like his apartment to be in the city center. (apartment - apartment; to be - to be; city center - city center)
29. It's a pity that I don't know her name. (to know - know; name - name)
30. She wants me to give her money. (to give - give; money - money)
31. If only my daughter were here with me now! (daughter - daughter; to be - to be; here - here; with - c; now - now)
32. If only I knew the truth at the time (to know - to know; truth - truth; at that time - at that time)
33. If only he could visit his parents more often! (can - be able (modal verb); visit - visit; parents - parents; more often - more often)
34. If only your friend had listened to us then! (friend - friend; to listen to - listen; then - then)
35. If only we left for the airport on time! (to leave - leave; on time - on time)
36. If only she could pass this difficult exam! (to pass an exam - pass the exam; difficult - difficult)
37. If only the weather were better now! (weather - weather; better - better; now - now)
38. If only this beautiful girl were not married! (beautiful - beautiful; girl - girl; to be married - to be married)
39. If only I understood this foreigner! (to understand - to understand; foreigner - foreigner)
40. If only I knew where to go! (to know - know; where - where; to go - go)
41. If only he hadn't sold his apartment then! (to sell - sell; apartment - apartment; then - then)
42. If only she had sent a letter to her best friend! (to send - send; letter - letter; the best - best; friend - friend)
43. If only I knew the answer to this question! (to know - know; answer - answer; question - question)
44. If only it hadn't snowed yesterday! (to start - to begin; to snow - to go (about snow) yesterday - yesterday)
45. If only I had learned German as a child! (to learn – teach, learn; German – German; childhood – childhood)

  Listen to answers

In order not to miss new useful materials,

We have already made an attempt to present the use in the form of a table. Now let's try to make similar models ( patterns) for complex sentences.

First, let's find out what forms exist. We propose to distinguish four: Subjunctive I Mood, Subjunctive Mood II, Suppositional Mood, Conditional Mood. (It should be noted that not all linguists adhere to this classification; it may differ in different textbooks).

Let's present the forms of the subjunctive mood in the form of a table.

Forms of the subjunctive mood ( The Forms of the Subjunctive Mood)

1. Subjunctive I Mood = to Infinitive Success attend you! May good luck be with you!
2. Subjunctive Mood II
Present = Past Indefinite I wish he were present. It's a shame he's not present. It's high time you did your flat. It's high time you cleaned your apartment.	Past = Past Perfect I wish she had gone to England last year. It's a shame she didn't go to England last year.
3. Suppositional Mood
Present = should + Indefinite Infinitive I insist that you should work hard. I insist that you work hard.	Past = should + Perfect Infinitive (rarely used!) It's important that you should have been present at the meeting. It is important that you attend the meeting then.
4. Conditional Mood
Present = would / should + Indefinite Infinitive If it were warm, we would go to the park. If it was warm, we would go to the park. (applies to the present time)	Past = would / should + Perfect Infinitive If I had worked harder last year, I would have got an excellent mark at the exam. If I had worked harder that year, I would have gotten an excellent grade in the exam.

Now let's look at the use of these forms in a complex sentence.

Use Subjunctive Mood II, Conditional Mood

I. Conditional sentences ( Subjunctive II + Conditional)

By remembering the following formula, you will never be confused about where to use what time:

		did			should / would do
If	smb.		smth.	smb.		smth.
		had done			should / would have done

1. If he came 1 earlier, we should go 2 to the cinema - If he had come earlier, we would have gone to the cinema. (today or tomorrow)

   1 – Subjunctive II (Present)
   2 – Conditional (Present)

2. If he had come 1 earlier, we should have gone 2 to the cinema. - If he had come earlier then, we would have gone to the cinema. (refers to the past: he never came; we never went to the cinema)

   1 – Subjunctive II (Past)
   2 – Conditional (Past)

Note that sometimes when expressing an unreal condition ( unreal condition) mixed forms can be used:

1. Subjunctive II (Present) + Conditional (Past):
   

   If she weren’t absent minded, she wouldn’t have lost the book - If she weren’t absent-minded, she wouldn’t have lost the book. (she is basically always absent-minded, so Present)

2. Subjunctive II (Past) + Conditional (Present):
   

   If he hadn’t missed the seminar, he would be answering well now - If he hadn’t missed the seminar then, he would have answered well now.

II. Expressions with wish

	wish (-es) wished will wish	smb.	did
I / smb.				smth.
			had done

I wish she were here. - It's a pity that she's not here.

I wish / wished she had been there. - It's a pity that she wasn't there.

If we want to make a sentence more expressive ( more emphatic), you can use the following formula:

	wish (-es) wished will wish	smb.	would do
I / smb.				smth.
			would have done

I wish you would have studied better last year. - What a pity that you didn’t study better that year.

predicative clauses) and comparisons ( comparative clauses) With as if, as though

	said sounded looks (-ed) seems (-ed) speaks (spoke) feels (felt) is (was)	as if as though (as if)		did
Smb.			smb.		smth.
				had done

He doesn't feel as if he were falling ill. - He feels as if he is going to get sick.

She speaks English as though she had lived in England all her life. - She speaks English as if she has lived in England all her life.

IV. In subjective subordinate clauses ( in subject clauses)

a). WITH as if, as though:

	is not was not won't (after all)	as if as though		did
It			smb.		smth.
				had done

It is not as if you knew him. - After all, you don’t know him.

b). With expressions it's time, it's about time, it's high time:

	time (time) about time (almost time) high time (high time)	smb.	did
It is				smth.

Please note that these sentences only use Subjunctive II Present.

It's high time you knew Grammar well. - It’s high time you knew grammar well.

V. In additional subordinate clauses ( in object clauses)

	had would	rather		did
Smb.			smb.		smth.
				had done

I would rather you went away now. - I would prefer it if you left now.

She would rather you had stayed. - She would prefer you to stay then. - refers to the past.

Use Suppositional Mood, Subjunctive I Mood

I. In subjective subordinate clauses ( in subject clauses)

	is was will be	necessary important desirable requested demanded advisable arranged ordered commanded		smb. should do
It			that		smth.
				smb. do

It is necessary that you should come a couple of days before the others. - It is necessary that you come two days earlier than everyone else.

	is was	natural understandable characteristic surprising strange curious odd doubtful impossible unpleasant a pity a shame		smb. should do
It			that		smth.
				smb. should have done

It is odd (strange) that she should have objected against the proposal. “It’s strange that she objected to this proposal.”

Please note that in declarative sentences ( declarative sentences) With possible, Probable, likely are used may, might, can, could:

It is possible the key may be lost. - It is possible that the key was lost.

But in interrogatives ( interrogative) and negative ( negative) used in sentences should + infinitive:

It is not possible that he should have guessed it. - It's impossible for him to guess it.

Is it possible that he should refuse to come? - Is it possible that he refused to come?

II. In additional subordinate clauses ( in object clauses)

to suggest to demand to insist to order to arrange to request to advise…		smb. should do
	that		smth.
		smb. do

He suggested that we should start the meeting at once. - He suggested that the meeting begin immediately.

to think to believe to consider to find	it	necessary important desirable advisable…		smb. should do
			that		smth.
				smb. do

I believe it desirable that you should read the book. - I think it is advisable that you read the book.

to think to believe to consider to find...	it	natural strange odd pleasant unpleasant possible impossible curious...		smb. should do
			that		smth.
				smb. should have done

I believe it natural that he should like his job. “I think it’s natural that he likes his job.”

They find it curious that he should have refused from the proposal. “They find it strange that he refused this offer.”

to be astonished to be sorry to be pleased…		smb. should do
	that		smth.
		smb. should have done

I'm astonished that she should have said this. “I was very surprised that she said that.”

to fear to worry to be afraid to be uneasy…		smb. should do
	lest	smb. should have done	smth.
		smb. do

I'm afraid lest it should be too late. - I'm afraid it's too late.

If the subordinate clause is introduced that, That:

to fear to worry to be afraid to be uneasy…		smb. may, might, can, could do
	that		smth.
		smb. may, might, can, could have done

I'm afraid that he may be ill. - I'm afraid he's sick.
I was afraid that he might be ill. - I was afraid that he was sick.

I'm afraid that he may have missed the train. - I'm afraid he missed the train.
I was afraid that he might have missed the train. - I was afraid that he missed the train.

III. In subordinate predicates ( predicative clauses)

order suggestion demand request recommendation wish rule arrangement...	is was will be	that	smb. should do
				smth.
			smb. do

The order was that we should leave the room. - The order was for us to leave the room.

anxiety fear worry	is was will be	lest	smb. should do
				smth.
			smb. should have done

Her constant fear is best there should be something wrong with the child’s health. “Her constant fear is that nothing will happen to her child’s health.”

that, That:

anxiety fear worry	is was will be	that	smb. may, might do
				smth.
			smb. may, might have done

Her only fear is that there may be something wrong with her child’s health. “The only thing she’s afraid of is that something might happen to her child’s health.”

IV. In attributive clauses ( in attributive clauses)

order suggestion demand request recommendation wish rule arrangement...	that	smb. should do
			smth.
		smb. do

He gave an order that nobody should leave the room. - He gave orders that no one should leave the room.

fear worry	lest	smb. should do
			smth.
		smb. should have done

She had a constant fear lest something should happen to her child. “She was constantly afraid that nothing would happen to her child.

If the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunction that, That:

fear worry	that	smb. may, might do
			smth.
		smb. may, might have done

She had a constant fear that something might happen to her child. “She was constantly afraid that something might happen to her child.

V. In subordinate clauses ( in clauses of purpose)

to do smth.	lest (not to)	smb. should do
			smth.
		smb. do

Do it at once, best she should change her mind. - Do it now so she doesn't change her mind.

If the subordinate clause is introduced by conjunctions so that, that, in order that, That:

to do smth.

so that that in order that

smb. may, might, can, could do may, might, can, could not do

smth.

I shall make you some sandwiches so that you can (may) not be hungry. - I'll make you sandwiches so you don't get hungry.

He gave me some money that I could buy two magazines. - He gave me money so I could buy two magazines.

And now I propose a small test to check the methods of using the subjunctive mood described above.

Mood in English, as in Russian, helps to understand how the speaker views an action in relation to reality. Mood refers to . There are three inclinations:

• Indicative Mood– the action is considered as real.
• Imperative mood (Imperative Mood)– expresses an incentive to action, an order, a request, advice.
• Subjunctive mood (Subjunctive Mood)– the action is considered not as a real fact, but as an assumption or wish.

As a rule, when studying the topic “Mond in English,” difficulties can arise only with the subjunctive mood. The rest are simple.

Indicative mood in English

In the vast majority of cases, the verb is used in the indicative mood - we are talking about a real action in the present, or. The verb can be in any tense form, active or. In other words, a verb in the indicative mood is “just a verb.”

I don't speak Spanish. - I do not speak Spanish.

Robert lost his wallet. Robert lost his wallet.

Have you seen this man? -Have you seen this man?

Imperative mood in English

The imperative mood expresses the urge to action. One can distinguish an affirmative and a negative form. Affirmative form is formed very simply - you just need to take the verb in its “dictionary” form, that is, without the particle to.

Turn right, then left. - Turn right, then left.

Get in the car. - Get in the car.

Tell me the truth. - Tell me the truth.

If you add a magic word to an imperative sentence please, it can turn from an order into a request, although much still depends on intonation and context.

Pass me those papers. -Give me those documents.

Please, pass me those papers. – Please give me those documents.

To build negative form imperative mood, add don't or don't before the verb.

Don't do that! - Do not do that!

Don't be late, please. - Don't be late, please.

Subjunctive mood in English

The subjunctive mood shows that the action is not considered as real, but as possible, expected or desired. The subjunctive mood is a rather complex topic, but I will try to approach it from a practical perspective, without confusing it with unnecessary (not the most necessary) information.

Forms of the subjunctive mood

It is difficult to say that in the subjunctive mood the verb takes on some special, easily recognizable form. And that's why.

1. For all English verbs, except , the subjunctive form does not differ from the indicative form. The only difference is that the subjunctive forms do not have the ending -s in the 3rd person singular.
2. Regarding the verb to be, then in the present tense it has the form be in all persons and numbers (in the subjunctive mood). In the past tense - form were in all persons and numbers (in colloquial speech it is often replaced by was).

Another common case is when a desired or intended action is expressed by a combination of verbs , + . It turns out that this combination performs the function of the subjunctive mood.

Cases of using past subjunctive forms

Let me remind you, verb to be in the form of the past subjunctive mood - has the form were in all persons and numbers. In modern English, especially in colloquial speech, it is often replaced by was.

Other verbs in the past subjunctive form look exactly the same as those in the simple past tense (indicative mood).

These forms are used:

1. In the subordinate clause of the second type.

If I were you, I would stay here. - If I were you, I would stay here.

If he were here, he would help us. “If he were here, he would help there.”

If we had more time, we would go on playing. – If we had more time, we would continue to play.

2. In sentences like where wish is used to express regret about something not done.

I wish I were here with you. - It's a pity that I wasn't here with you.

I wish I knew. - It's a pity that I didn't know.

3. In subordinate clauses of the manner of action, joined by the conjunction as if:

He spoke as if he were an expert. “He spoke as if he were an expert.”

He worked as if his life dependent on it. “He worked as if his life depended on it.”

It is these three cases of using the subjunctive mood that are most often found in colloquial speech, films, fiction, and journalism.

It is also worth mentioning when the present subjunctive forms are used - this is unlikely to be very useful to you, but it is advisable to know about it.

Cases of using present subjunctive forms

Verbs in the present subjunctive mood are rarely used, mainly in documents.

1. In sentences with phrases like it is important that, it is necessary that:

It is desirable that the candidate be at the office at 7 o’clock. – It is advisable that the candidate be in the office at 7 o’clock.

Please note that in this example the verb to be is used in the subjunctive form - be.

It was important that they began the operation. “It was important that they started the operation.”

The verb commence is used in the present tense, not the past, since the form of the present tense of the subjunctive mood does not depend on the tense of the verb in the main clause.

2. In subordinate clauses that complement verbs with the meaning of order, proposal, decision, agreement (to command, to order, to propose, to decide, etc.):

Friends! Now I’m not doing tutoring, but if you need a teacher, I recommend this wonderful site - there are native (and non-native) language teachers there👅 for all occasions and for every pocket :) I myself took more than 50 lessons with teachers I found there !