III. Suppositional Mood
The Suppositional Mood describes a desirable, necessary action from the point of view of the speaker:
It is necessary that he should come in time.
It represents an action as problematic but not as contradicting the reality. It is used to express order, suggestion, demand, request, supposition, purpose.
It has 2 tenses: Present and Past:
· The present form: should + Indefinite (Non-Perfect) Infinitive (refers the action to the present or future):
It is requested that all should be ready by 6 o'clock.
· The past form: should + Perfect Infinitive (refers the action to the past):
He suggested that the work should have been finished.
The Suppositional Mood is used in different subordinate clauses of complex sentences:
1) Subject subordinate clauses:
 is It was will be | necessary essential only right cruel funny shameful requested ordered advisable important recommended a happy coincidence natural strange, etc. | that | smb/smth. should + non-perfect/perfect infinitive |
E.g.: It is necessary that you should come in time.
It is shameful that you should have treated her like that.
It is only right that he should apologize.
Task 46.Translate into Russian:
1. It is necessary that you should ask for permission first.
2. It is requested that applicants should provide the papers before the deadline.
3. It is a happy coincidence that we should have met.
4. It is advisable that the patient should take the medicine twice a day.
5. It is recommended that he should wear official clothes.
6. Will it be important that she should participate in the conference?
7. It’s only right that the children should stay inside now.
8. It is cruel that they should have tortured animals.
9. It is advisable that you should realize your responsibility.
10. Was it ordered that they should stay where they were?
Task 47.Fill in the gaps using ‘should’ and the correct form of the verb given in brackets:
1. It is surprising that they ____________ (keep) silent then.
2. It is unpleasant that my best friend __________ (betray) me.
3. It was a pity that she _________ (say) no.
4. Is it recommended that you __________ (change) your tactics?
5. It’ll be only right that we __________ (say) sorry.
6. It’s a shame that you __________ (know) nothing about your family roots.
7. It’s natural that Sean __________ (want) to leave so soon.
8. It is funny that he __________ (behave) so silly.
9. Is it possible that this _________ (happen) five years ago?
10. It is important that all the staff _________ (subordinate).
2) Predicative subordinate clauses:
| aim order demand suggestion recommendation request wish desire idea condition rule | is was will be | that | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: His condition was that I should join one of the clubs.
Her only wish is that they should leave her alone.
The doctor’s recommendation was that he should stay in bed.
Task 48.Translate into Russian:
1. Their aim was that they should get into the house without being noticed.
2. My desire is that my plan should be carried out as soon as possible.
3. The idea is that all people should follow us.
4. My suggestion is that those who are guilty should be punished.
5. The doctor’s recommendation is that I should do more physical exercises.
6. His request was that I should keep it secret.
7. The teacher’s demand was that the student should do that task by himself.
8. The rule is that you should inform me about all your steps.
9. Their wish is that people should not gossip about their relationships.
10. The company’s condition was that the loan should be paid back within two years.
3) Attributive subordinate clauses:
| proposal order demand suggestion recommendation requirement wish decision | that | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: They supported the proposal that the chairman should make a decision.
He expressed a wish that nobody should enter the room.
He gave an order that the soldiers should leave the battlefield.
Task 49.Make your own sentences ‘should’ and the expressions given:
1. make a demand
__
2. support the decision
__
3. make a recommendation
__
4. express an idea
__
5. give an order
__
4) Objective subordinate clauses:
| to suggest to order to recommend to insist to demand to arrange to request | that | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
| to be pleased to be sorry to be astonished | that | smb/smth. should + non-perfect/perfect Infinitive |
E.g.: He recommended that we should start at once.
They will insist that we should agree to their conditions.
I’m pleased that you should have helped me.
Task 50.Translate into Russian:
1. Mr. Clarke suggested that the head office of the company should remain in New York.
2. The chairwoman recommended that we should expand our business.
3. I’m astonished that she should have married Kevin.
4. The captain ordered that his commands should be carried out straight away.
5. I’m pleased that you should have noticed the mistake.
6. The teacher insisted that she should practice more.
7. The interviewers demand that the candidates should present their resumes during the interview.
8. The manager arranged that the delegation should be met at the airport.
9. I’m sorry that you should have witnessed our quarrel.
10. I’m pleased that you should be so polite to me.
Task 51.Fill in the gaps using ‘should’ and the correct form of the verb given in brackets:
1. I suggest that he ____________ (invite) to the party.
2. I’m astonished that he __________ (worry) about this so much.
3. The director arranged that the meeting __________ (put off).
4. He insisted that they ___________ (stop) treating him in that way.
5. Mary ordered that we __________ (clean) the office ourselves.
6. The victims demanded that the government __________ (give) them a three-bedroom flat.
7. I’m pleased that he __________ (answer) such a difficult question.
8. We insisted that Jessica ___________ (go) to hospital.
9. The guide requested that the tourists ____________ (get) ready for the trip.
10. The hotel owner demanded that the receptionist ____________ (know) three foreign languages.
5) Objective subordinate clauses with ‘lest’:
| to fear to worry to be afraid to be terrified | lest | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: He feared lest she should know the truth.
She worried lest her children should miss the train.
I’m afraid lest it should be too late already.
Task 52.Complete the following sentences:
1. When I found out the truth I worried lest _______________________________.
2. We have no time left. I fear lest ______.
3. He has a terrible character. I fear lest __.
4. I’m not ready for the exam. I’m afraid lest ______________________________.
5. Tomorrow she has an interview. She worries lest ________________________.
6. I’ve lost his number. I’m afraid lest ___.
7. She has a cold. She fears lest ________.
8. It’s raining cats and dogs. I’m afraid lest _______________________________.
6) Adverbial subordinate clauses of purpose:
| to do smth. | lest | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: We will start at 7 lest we should miss the train.
The girl whispered these words lest somebody should overhear.
Task 53.Match Column A with Column B and translate the sentences into Russian:
| A | B |
| 1. He ran very fast | a. lest I should wake up my daughter. |
| 2. The government must take immediate action | b. lest you should hurt your finger. |
| 3. They kept on watching all night | c. lest her father should hear it. |
| 4. I quietly tiptoed to the door | d. lest someone should notice him. |
| 5. Be careful with the hammer | e. lest environmental problems should grow worse. |
| 6. They were afraid to complain about the noise | f. lest the police should find him. |
| 7. She reduced the volume of the television | g. lest robbers should come. |
| 8. He hid in the woods | h. lest they should annoy their neighbours. |
7) Adverbial subordinate clauses of concession:
| to do smth. | though whatever wherever however whoever whenever whichever | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: Invite Jack to your house wherever you should meet him.
He will not convince us however hard he should try.
Task 54.Translate into Russian:
1. Though it should rain, we’ll have to go.
2. Whoever you should hire, I won’t agree with your choice.
3. However hard they should work, they will need some more time.
4. Whichever of the houses we should buy, it will be rather expensive.
5. Call me wherever you should stay.
6. Whenever you should come home, wake me up.
7. Whatever they should say, don’t take it to heart.
8) Adverbial subordinate clauses of condition:
| to do smth. | if | smb/smth. should + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: Tell him to come if you should meet him.
If the printer should break down, we would repair it within a week.
Task 55.Make the following conditions less likely to happen using ‘should’:
1. If the programme failed, we’d have to fire the programmer.
__
2. If you find the information, share it with me.
__
3. If he accepts our offer, we’ll give him a bonus.
__
4. If there’s any misunderstanding, let me know.
__
5. If the film were released in August, people would be able to see it sooner.
__
Task 56. Translate the following sentences paying special attention to the Suppositional Mood constructions. Define the type of the subordinate clause in each sentence:
Type of Clause
1. It is recommended that you should getsome
professional advice. ___________________
2. What a happy coincidence that
we should have met! ___________________
3. His suggestion was that the house should be built
on this site. ___________________
4. The headmaster expressed the wish that all the
staff should be present at the meeting. ____________________
5. The general issued the order that the soldiers
should not surrender. ____________________
6. She was anxious lest he should tell someone
what had happened. ____________________
7. The man turned away from the window lest
anyone should see him. ____________________
8. Whoever you should marry I won’t get
in touch with you any more. ____________________
9. Whichever of the routes we should take, the
distance will be equal. ____________________
10. They spoke in whisper so that nobody
should overhear. ____________________
11. Should you everhavethe problem, come
to me any time. ____________________
Task 57. Replace the infinitive in brackets with the correct form of the Suppositional Mood:
1. It’s necessary that students ___________(take) interest in public life.
2. I worry lest he ___________ (fail) to get the tickets for the performance.
3. It’s desirable that we ________ (inform) regularly about your whereabouts.
4. Was it so important that he ___________ (be) present?
5. It is not advisable that children ___________ (not sleep) after midnight.
6. I suggest that Frank ___________ (read) the instruction carefully before assembling the bike.
7. Miss Crumble was pleased that the heater ___________ (fix).
9. Jacob asked that we ___________ (attend) his graduation ceremony.
10. It is essential that the life guard ___________ (monitor) the swimming pool.
11. Though it ___________ (snow), we have to start off.
12. Whatever you ___________ (propose) they will never accept.
13. We were afraid lest the police ___________ (arrive).
14. The seller covered the goods lest they ___________ (damage) by rain.
15. If you __________ (be) present at the ceremony, congratulate them.
Task 58.Match Problem column with Advice column and give your advice on the problems using the Suppositional Mood constructions:
For example: the problem – Financial hardship
the advice – It is important that you should be economical. I recommend that you should not spare money on trifles. My suggestion is that you should find a part-time job.
| Problem | Advice |
| 1. Poor communication with friends | a) be economical spare no money on trifles find a part-time job |
| 2. Lack of time | b) stay calm avoid conflicts don’t take to heart someone else’s problems |
| 3. Inability to find work | c) speak with them and ask for advice more often imagine yourself in their shoes respect their opinion |
| 4. Emotional instability | d) use your time rationally plan your day avoid unnecessary work |
| 5. Physical weakness | e) spend more time together outdoors find a common hobby be loyal |
| 6. Bad memory | f) divide your time for studies evenly for each day of the week ask your teacher for help, consult a psychologist pay more attention to the most important subjects |
| 7. Financial hardship | g) do physical exercise take care of your health combine your work and free time harmoniously |
| 8. Misunderstandings with parents | h) write a CV and place it on the websites prepare for the interview learn some additional information you may need at your future work (foreign languages, driving, etc.) |
| 9. Stress at studies | i) find a suitable memory training programme start keeping an organizer use associations to remember the necessary information |
Task 59. Translate into English using the Suppositional Mood:
| 1. Его целью было достичь успеха любой ценой. | |
| 2. Анна продолжала наблюдать за детьми, чтобы не потерять с поля зрения сына, который с ними играл. | |
| 3. Очень странно, что он отказался от этого предложения. | |
| 4. Если вдруг ты встретишь Хелен, передай ей мои поздравления. | |
| 5. Лучше не сокращай путь, чтобы не заблудиться. | |
| 6. Я считаю необходимым каждый час измерять его давление. | |
| 7. Стыдно, что мне приходится подчиняться. | |
| 8. Депутати поддержали предложение возобновить отношения между двумя странами. | |
| 9. Его шокировало то, что он был настолько слеп. | |
| 10. Джонни волновался, что отец обо всем узнает. |
IV. Subjunctive Mood
Subjunctive I
Subjunctive I shows an action that is problematic but doesn’t contradict the reality. It coincides with the infinitive without the particle ‘to’. This form is used for all the persons:If the weather be fine tomorrow, we shall go to the country. I suggest that he do this work. Success attend you!
In American English Subjunctive I is used both in simple and complex sentences as an equivalent of The Suppositional Mood:The agronomist demanded that we water flowers every day. (Subjunctive I)
The agronomist demanded that we should water flowers every day. (The Suppositional Mood)
Subjunctive I is used in British English also in set expressions, slogans, oaths, imprecations: God bless you! God save the King!So be it! Be it so! Suffice it to say…Heaven (God) forbid! Truth be told…Manners be hanged! Come what may…Long live the Queen! Happen what may… Success attend you! Blessed be!Be that as it may… Be ours a happy journey! Perish the thought! May you be happy!Far be it from me to conceal the truth! Confound your ideas!Task 60. Match the expressions in Subjunctive I with their explanation:
| 1. God bless you! | a) You hope very much that something will not happen. |
| 2. So be it! | b) You hope somebody will be safe and happy, especially when you are saying good-bye. |
| 3. Heaven (God) forbid! | c) Even though you accept that something is true, it doesn’t change anything. |
| 4. Long live the Queen! | d) You don’t like or agree with something but you accept it. |
| 5. Success attend you! | e) You wish someone success. |
| 6. Far be it from me to conceal the truth. | f) The statement that follows is enough to explain what you mean. |
| 7. Truth be told… | g) = whatever happens |
| 8. Suffice it to say… | h) You hope what someone has said will never happen. |
| 9. Be that as it may… | i) You wish somebody happiness. |
| 10. Come what may… | j) You wish yourself a happy journey when you are about to leave. |
| 11. Perish the thought! | k) You’re annoyed with somebody’s ideas. |
| 12. May you be happy! | l) You show support for the Queen. |
| 13. Be ours a happy journey! | m) = to tell the truth |
| 14. Confound you ideas! | n) You deny hiding the truth from somebody. |
Task 61. A:Look at the pictures. Guess what set expression is implied by each picture:
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
B:Draw two pictures of your own, show them to your groupmates and have them guess the expression.
Task 62. Translate into English:
| 1. Не дай бог, чтобы он снова появился в этом городе. | |
| 2. Достаточно сказать, что я далек от того, чтобы скрывать правду. | |
| 3. Благослови тебя бог. Успехов тебе и счастья! | |
| 4. Будь что будет, но я не стану менять свое решение. | |
| 5. Как бы там ни было, мы будем надеяться на лучшее. | |
| 6. Хорошо, я сделаю это ради тебя. | |
| 7. В добрый путь! Даже не думай о том, что что-то может пойти не так. |
Subjunctive II
Subjunctive II represents an action as problematic and unreal. It has two tenses:
· Present (homonymous with Past Simple) – expresses an action in the present or future
If only you knew everything!
· Past (homonymous with Past Perfect) – expresses an action in the past
I wish we had bought that car.
Subjunctive II is used:
1) in a simple sentence (which is emotionally coloured) after the words oh, that («о, если бы!»), if only, oh, if:
| Oh, that If only Oh, if | smb/smth. | Past Simple Past Perfect would + non-perfect infinitive |
E.g.: Oh, that I werefree now!
If only I had known what to do then!
If only it would stop raining!
If only he wouldn’t give me so many tasks.
Would + non-perfect infinitive after if only is used to express our desire for a change in a situation or somebody’s behaviour.
Task 63. Translate the following sentences paying special attention to Present and Past Subjunctive II constructions:
1. Oh, that I were there now.
2. If only I had understoodwhat to do then.
3. If only life would changefor the better.
4. Oh, that it were warmer now.
5. If only I felt that somebody needs me.
6. Oh, if I had managed to escape.
7. If only I had known who you really were.
8. If only he would stop complaining all the time!
9. If only my boss wouldn’t give me so much work.
10. Oh, if he were more careful.
Task 64.Fill in the gaps with an appropriate form of the verb from the brackets:
1. If only patients ___________ (take) their prescription medicines the way they are told.
2. If only I ___________ (buy) the dress we have seen today.
3. If only we ___________ (go) to Italy last year.
4. Oh, that I ___________ (can) invite my friend tomorrow!
5. If only all the drivers ___________ (follow) traffic regulations.
6. I can’t do that! If only he ___________ (help) me with the project.
7. If only I ___________ (not be) late for that meeting.
8. If only I ___________ (not be) so tired.
9. If only he ___________ (call) later.
10. Oh, that I ___________ (not be) busy now.
Task 65.Express your regret about the past or wish to change the situation. Use ‘if only/oh, that/oh, if’:
1. Your neighbours play loud music late at night and you can’t fall asleep.
_
2. Your younger child is always biting his/her nails.
_
3. Last night you didn’t sleep a wink. Today you are having an interview.
_
4. Your mother is always interrupting you when you want to tell her something.
_
5. You can’t play a musical instrument. You have always dreamed of becoming a musician.
_
6. You can speak only one foreign language. You want this to be different.
_
7. You’ve quarreled with your best friend. You want to make peace with him/her.
_
8. Your neighbours’ dog keeps digging out deep holes in your garden.
_
9. Your groupmate has an annoying cough.
_
10. You’ve seen an advertisement about a holiday in Ireland. You don’t have enough money.
_
2) in a subordinate clause after the expressions it’s time, it’s high time and it’s about time:
| it’s time it’s high time it’s about time | smb/smth. | Past Simple |
E.g. It’s time he woke up.
It is high time they arrived.
It’s about time we started the show.
Task 66.Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs given: