SUBJUNCTIVE II, ITS FORMS, THE INDEPENDENT USE

 

Subjunctive II represents the action as unreal, as contrary to reality. Subjunctive IIhas two forms:

 

Non-Perfect Perfect
I were / went He were / went We were / went You were / went They were / went I had been / had gone He had been / had gone We had been / had gone You had been / had gone They had been / had gone

 

The Non-perfect form of Subjunctive II is used to express simultaneous actions referring to the present or to the future.

 

E.g. She played her part as if she were a professional actress.

 

The Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used to express priority. It is used to express actions, which were not fulfilled.

 

E.g. If Mary had been less selfish, she would have had more friends.

 

Subjunctive II is used independently of other clauses to express advice, preference and wish:

a) advice

I He, she, it We You, they   had better do sth. had better not do sth.  

 

E.g. You had better take a taxi. We had better not tell her.

 

We use had better to give advice, never to express comparison or preference. Had better refers the action to immediate future. To make a negative form we use particle not:

had better not + Infinitive

 

To make a negative interrogative form the word order becomes reverse:

E.g. Hadn’t we better wait?

 

The inversion can occur sometimes to add emphatic stress.

E.g. I will keep my word! – You better had.

had better is used to:

1) give advice to people including ourselves

 

E.g. You had better make a copy of the tape to be on the safe side.

E.g. I wonder how she is doing. I d better go and check on her.

2) express a threat

E.g. You’d better listen carefully! I will not repeat this information twice!

3) call to immediate action

E.g. You had better start looking for a new job.

 

Exercise 26. Make up sentences.

 

You had better stay in bed consult the dictionary have some hot tea do morning exercises spend more time in the open air give up smoking book the tickets beforehand ask for more information rest a bit join their group

Exercise 27. Complete the sentences using You’d better.

 

Model: You look pale. You’d better have a rest.

1. You look ill. 2. It’s coming on to pour. 3.Your reading leaves much to be desired. 4. As far as I know he is bad at singing. 5. I can’t stand this noise! 6. This costume is old-fashioned. 7. We’ve run out of bread. 8. It’s getting dark. 9. You’ve found his knife. 10.

We depend on you! 11. I’ve baked your favourite apple-pie. 12. We no longer require your service.

 

Exercise 28. Read and render the stories.

Be Careful.

 

The chemistry professor wrote the formula of HNO3 on the blackboard. Then he pointed a finger at the inattentive student and said:

“Identify that formula, please.”

“Just a moment,” answered the student, “I’ve got it right on the tip of my tongue, sir.”

“Then”, said the professor softly, “you’d better spit it out. It is nitric acid.”

 

Distrust in Lawyers.

 

“Have you got a lawyer?” asked the judge a young man brought before him.

“No, your honour,” was the answer.

“Well, don’t you think you had better have one?” asked the judge.

“No, your honour,” answered the young man. “I don’t need one. I’m going to tell the truth.”

 

b) preference

I He, she, it We You, they had rather (sooner) do sth. had rather (sooner) not do sth.

E.g. I had rather pay them a visit.

 

The pattern “sb. had rather do/not do sth.” is seldom used in modern English. The Conditional Mood pattern “sb. would rather do/not do sth.” is commonly used.

 

I He, she, it We You, they would rather (sooner) do sth. would rather (sooner) not do sth.

 

E.g. I would rather stay home.

E.g. He would much rather use his credit card.

 

We use would rather to express preference.

E.g. I’d rather have a rest now.

E.g. We’d rather not take this chance.

E.g. Would you rather go out?

 

 

Subjunctive II is used in object clauses

 

Subjunctive II is used in object clauses referred to the other doer of the action.

 

I He, she, it We You, they   would rather had rather   sb. sb. did sth. had done sth.

 

E.g. I would rather you didn’t do it. We’d rather he had told us everything.

 

The subjects in both clauses must be different.

When the action is referred to the present or future, the Non-Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used.

E.g. I’d rather you called her right now.

E.g. I’m afraid it won’t do. I’d rather we made an earlier appointment.

 

When the action is referred to the past, the Perfect form of Subjunctive II is used.

E.g. I’d rather you hadn’t bought that expensive dress.

 

Exercise 29. Make up sentences.

I He She They We would rather leave for the country than stay in town take a walk take the exam tomorrow stay at home drop in on Jim and Mary wait for you here if you don’t mind have dinner later, I’m not hungry yet do it myself we stay in and watch TV have a glass of still water

 

Exercise 30. Express your opposite preference using I would rather do/not do sth.

 

Model: I want to leave now. – 1. And I’d rather stay.

– 2. I’d rather you didn’t leave.

 

1. We decided to buy that house.

2. I want to have dinner at this restaurant.

3. He’s going to Spain. Would you like to go to Spain?

4. I am going to refuse him.

5. He is will sell his old car to some friend from work.

 

6. I’m going to invite the Reeds to our housewarming party.

7. Chad doesn’t want to go to the cinema. Do you?

8. They’ll go to the club next week.

9. I’d like to have a piece of apple pie for dessert.

10. I know, it’s important, but it’s late to make a phone call now.

11. Would you like a banana?

12. I don’t like horror movies.

Exercise 31. Respond according to the model using I’d rather.

 

Model: The weather has changed. – I’d rather stay indoors.

 

1. I’m thirsty. 2. I don’t want to read this novel in Russian. 3. I’m not going to speak with him now. 4. I don’t normally eat soup. 5. It will take us an hour to get there by bus. 6. I’m so tired after the exam. 7. I’m not hungry. 8. I’m airsick. 9. I don’t know much on the subject. 10. This restaurant is crowded at this time.

 

Exercise 32. Answer the following questions using I’d rather.

 

Model: Shall we use the lift? (walk) – I’d rather walk. It’s a good exercise.

 

1. Shall we have dinner? (snack)

2. Will you join us? (stay here)

3. Are you going to present her with flowers? (buy something else)

4. Will you watch this film tonight? (go to bed earlier)

5. Shall I pack your things for you? (do it myself)

6. Will you explain the meaning of this word? (consult the dictionary first)

7. Will you have some ice-cream? (have some fruit).

8. Are you buying this car? (wait for the discount)

9. Are you going with us? (finish my work).

10. Will you have some tea? (have black coffee)

 

Exercise 33. Rewrite the second sentence in each conversation with I’d rather we, you, they, etc. did sth./had done sth.

Model: - He has parked his car in front of the house.

- I’d like him to drive it to the garage. - I’d rather he drove it to the garage.

- I will never speak to him again!

- I don’t want you to overreact. - I’d rather you didn’t overreact.

 

1. - May I check your mail?

- No, you may not. John will.

2. - I’ll close the window, it’s chilly here.

- Don’t. We need some fresh air. Put a sweater on.

 

3. - You need to talk to her about it.

- No, you talk to her.

4. – They have finished working with the new project.

- They should have completed working with the previous one first.

5. - How many times am I supposed to repeat it?

- I don’t want you to shout at me.

6. - It’s good we didn’t go to the country, isn’t it?

- I’m not sure. We’d have enjoyed it.

7. - She came to that party! I still cannot believe it.

- I wasn’t excited about her coming either.

8. - We have an excursion scheduled for all of you.

- I am sorry, but we want some free time.

9. - Aunt Anne wants to join us for the weekend.

- Oh, no, not again! She is such a nagger.

10. – I’ve brought you lunch. How about some nice Chinese food?

- I wanted you to buy me Italian lunch.

11. - I’d like you to sign this document.

- Well, I wouldn’t like to take responsibility. Let Ms Dee do it.

 

Exercise 34. Translate into English using your Active Grammar. State the function of Subjunctive II.

 

1. Вам лучше не спорить с ней. Она очень упрямая. 2. Я бы предпочла, чтобы вы этого не делали. 3. Лучше бы ты взял с собой зонтик, сегодня обещали дождь во второй половине дня. 4. Мы бы предпочли, чтобы вы сами сказали ей всю правду. 5. Я, пожалуй, все запишу, чтобы не забыть. 6. Но это же обычная простуда! Ты бы лучше относился к этому проще. 7. Тебе лучше узнать все самому, это твоя работа. 8. На всякий случай я, пожалуй, закажу билеты заранее. 9. Вы бы лучше регулярно посещали занятия. 10. Я бы предпочла лететь самолетом, но цены на билеты сейчас так повысились. 11. Не лучше ли вам подождать ее здесь? 12. Я думаю, я лучше приму душ. 13. Лучше не заказывай этот суп, он тебе не понравится. 14. Я бы предпочел, чтобы ты отвечал первым. 15. Поверь мне, тебе лучше сейчас отдохнуть.

 

c) wish

  If only   sb. did sth. sb. had done sth. sb. could do sth. sb. could have done sth.

 

E.g. If only I had got that prize!

If only is used to show a more emphatic contradiction to reality.

To refer the action to:

1) the present we use the Non-Perfect form of Subjunctive II

 

 

E.g. If only I knew German well.

E.g. If only I were there now!

2) the past we use the Perfect form of Subjunctive II

 

E.g. If only we had followed his advice, we would have been more successful in this project.

 

3) the future we use the Non-Perfect form of the Conditional Mood

 

E.g. If only it could stop raining.

E.g. If only I could have rescuedhim.

 

Exercise 35. Make up sentences beginning with If only sb. did/had done sth., If only sb. could do/could have done sth.

Model: He is so rude! – If only he were not so rude.

 

1. We don’t have a car.

2. I left my passport at the reception.

3. It is raining on and on!

4. I lost my gift of story telling.

5. He didn’t write to me.

6. She isn’t sincere.

7. Sam was offered to move.

8. Oh, no! The battery is low.

9. I feel bored when the Schultz are around.

10. I must go for a drive in the morning. Hope it won’t snow.

11. We didn’t understand anything, she spoke French.

12. I really care for you, don’t you know that?

 

Exercise 36. Translate into English using your recent Active Grammar.

 

1. Если бы только они приехали вовремя. Я так не люблю, когда гости опаздывают. 2. – Ах, если я был моложе! – Генри, прекрати так смотреть на эту девушку! 3. Если бы только я был внимательнее, когда я писал проверочную работу! 4. Ах, если бы она согласилась поехать вместе с нами. 5. Ах, если бы ты только мог понять меня! 6. Они против моего решения. Если бы только я промолчал на собрании! 7. – Я не вижу другого выхода из ситуации, мы должны ехать. – Ах, если бы только у него был сотовый телефон! Да, мы должны ехать. 8. Если бы ты только понимал, насколько это смешно. 9. Если бы я знал, что у нее день рождения. Теперь мне придется извиняться, что у меня нет подарка. 10. Ах, если бы только я купила то платье! Сейчас я бы не ломала голову над тем, что одеть на вечеринку.