Subjunctive Mood

It denotes the attitude of the speaker to the described reality. It expresses an unreal, hypothetical situation that never took place in life.

Subjunctive II

Subjunctive I

should/would/could/might + bare inf.

If I hur­ried I could arrive on time

V2 (to be - were)

If I were you, I'd accomplish a promise

Usage:

  1. It is used in simple sentences to express wishes, unrealistic desires, sometimes swearing and cursing, as well as in some set expressions.

Success attend you!

  1. The subjunctive is often used in conditional sentences to express an unreal condition in a subordinate clause or an unreal consequence in a main clause.

We would be healthier if every cigarette factory in the world were closed.

  1. The subjunctive mood is used in subordinate clauses of purpose. When the target clause is used with the conjunctions that, so that, in order that, the auxiliary may (might) is used if the action in the main clause refers to the present or future, or only might if the action refers to the past.

I explained her everything in order that there should be no misunderstanding between us

  1. The subjunctive mood is used in unreal clauses with conjunctions thought, although, however, no matter, whatever, whoever, etc., as well as in clauses of time and place with conjunctions whenever, wherever

However tired the children may be they will go to school anyway

  1. The subjunctive mood is also used in complex sentences expressing the desirability, the need for action, as well as orders, suggestions, advice, and so on.

It is better for everyone that they should forgive Kate

  1. The subjunctive mood in the Past Subjunctive form (the form were from the verb to be) is used in subordinate clauses of (unreal) comparison, after conjunctions as if, as though, as well as in sentences that begin with if only ... and I (he, she, they ) wish…, and express an unrealistic desire or regret about something.

If only I were you!

  1. The subjunctive mood is also sometimes used to convey the emotional attitude of the speaker to certain facts of reality. In such sentences, the auxiliary verb should is used with a certain infinitive of the semantic verb, depending on the context, it can convey surprise, misunderstanding, pity, regret, joy, etc.

I am so sad you should leave now

Conditional Mood

The conditional mood is formed using the auxiliary verb should or would (for all persons) and the infinitive form of the semantic verb without the to particle.

He would have passed his exams if he had studied harder

Patterns:

  1. or (otherwise) + smb should / would do smth
  1. but for this + I, we should do smth / smb would do smth

But for her poor health she would be my best student

I was tired or I shouldn't have made this mistake

  1. A. if (even if, even though) + smb did smth + smb would do smth
    B. if (even if / even though) + smb had done smth + smb would have done smth

If you had given me this example I should have understood the rule ay once

  1. A. if it were (was) not for smb / smth + smb would do smth
    B. if it had not been for smb / smth + smb wouldn't have done smth

If it hadn't been for his help we would not have put up that tent

  1. If / even if / even though + smb had done smth + smb would do smth

If you hadn't eaten so much ice-cream you wouldn't feel sick now

  1. if smb were to do smth + smb would do smth

If I were to see him again he wouldn't even try to explain his action

  1. if smb would do smth + smb would do smth

We should take Anne too if Mother would only let her

  1. if smb should do smth + smb will do smth

If he should object show him this letter

  1. If only + smb did / had done smth

If only I had his adress

  1. smb would rather + do smth / have done smth

I'd much rather walk

  1. smb had better (not) do smth

You'd better wait here

  1. It + is/was + time + smb did smth

It's time we knew where we stand

  1. A. smb + speaks/spoke/will.. + as if/as though + smb did smth / smb was(were) doing smth
    B. smb + speaks/spoke/will... + as though/as if + smb had done / had been doing smth
    C. smb + does/did/will do smth + as if/as though + smb could do (have done) smth

Whe do you behave as ig you didn't know me?

  1. smb + looks (ed) /feels (felt) + as if/as though + smb did smth

The girl looks as if she were feverish

  1. It looks / seems / is / V2 + as if/as though + smb did / could do / .... smth

It seems as if he knew the way

  1. A. smb + wishes / wished / will .. + smb did smth / had done smth
    B. smb + 16. A. smb + wishes / wished / will .. + smb could / might / could have ..
    C. smb + wishes / wished + smb would do smth

I wish he were here

  1. smb would rather + smb did smth / smb had done smth
  1. It + is/was/will + ordered/requested/important/necessary.. + that smb should do smth

I'd rather you didn't mention names

It was arranged that we should spend the winter vacation at Aunt Molly's

  1. smb orders(ed)/requests(ed)/insists(ed).... + that smb should do smth

Why do you insist that he should be told?

  1. the order/demand/suggestion/rule/wish... + is/was + that smb should do smth

His only request was that he should take no part in the proceedings

  1. the order/demand/suggestion/rule/wish... + that smb should do smth

Her demand that she should be paid for extra work involved seemed reasonable enough

  1. smb + did / will do / does smth + lest /so that + smb should do smth

I drew a plan of the place for him lest he should lose his way

  1. smb + feels (felt) / considers (ed) / believes (ed) / finds (ed) + it + necessary / advisable / important.... + that smb should do smth

Do you think it necessary that I should stay here any longer?

  1. It + is/was + that smb should do smth / have dome smth

It was impossible that he should have meant what he told you

  1. It + is/was + understandable/natural/strange.... + that smb should do smth / have done smth

It's natural that she doesn't like it

  1. smb feels (felt) / believes (ed).. + it + strange/nice/natural... + that smb should do smth / have done smth

I find it natural that she wants to be a teacher

  1. smb + it/was + astonished/pleased/sorry + that smb should do smth / have dome smth

I was surprised that she didn't want to go

  1. smb does/will do/ did smth + that/so that + smb may/might do smth / can/could do smth

I gave her my address so that she might write to me if anything went wrong

  1. smb + is/was + afraid + that smb does/will do/did smth

I'm afraid you will think me rather silly

  1. It is (was) possible that + smb may/might do (have done) smth

Is it possible that he should think so?