In modern English the forms of the Past Indefinite and Past Perfect Indicative are used to express unreality.

The Past Indefinite is used to express an action contradicting reality with reference to the past or future. This use of the Past Indefinite is found in certain types of subordinate clauses.

If I knew it, I should/ would tell you about it.

I wish I knew it.

The Past Perfect represents actions contadicting reality in the past. It is used in the same types of clauses as the Past Indefinite when it expresses unreality.

If Ihad known it, I should/ would have told you about it.

I wish I had known it.

THE USE OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD

Simple sentences

§ 5. In simple sentences the synthetic forms of the Subjunctive Mood are more frequent than the analytical forms. In simple sentences the Subjunctive Mood is used:

(1) to express wish:

Long live the forces of peace!

Да здравствуют силы мира!

Success attend you!

Да сопутствует вам успех!

To express wish the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may is also used.

May success attend you!

(2) to express an unreal wish:

If only he were free! (Galsworthy)

If only the storm were over!

(3) in oaths and imprecations:

Manners be hanged!

К черту церемонии!

Confound these flies!

Будь они прокляты, эти мухи!

(4) in some expressions:

Suffice it to say that...        Достаточно сказать...

Be it so!                          Да будет так!

God forbid!                   Боже сохрани!

Far be it from me...             У меня и в мыслях этого не было.

The Subjunctive Mood in simple sentences is characteristic of literary style, except in oaths and imprecations, which belong to low colloquial style.

Complex sentences.

§ 6. The Subjunctive Mood is used in conditional sentences to express an unreal condition (in the subordinate clause) and an unreal consequence (in the principal clause).

a) In sentences of unreal condition referring to the present or future the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used in the subordinate clause; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. In the principal clause we find the analytical subjunctive consisting of the mood auxiliary should or would and the Indefinite Infinitive. Should is used with the first person singular and plural, would is used with the second and third persons singular and plural.

The world would behealthier if every chemist's shop in England were demolished. (Shaw)

Человечество было бы здоровее, если бы все аптеки в Англии были уничтожены.

I should kill myself today if I didn't believe that tyranny and injustice must end. (Galsworthy)

Я бы сегодня же покончила с собой, если бы не верила, что тирании и несправедливости придет конец.

An unreal condition referring to the future can also be expressed by the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be + Infinitive of the notional verb or the analytical Subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should for all the persons. Such sentences are often translated by means of Если бы случилось так..., Случилось так...

If I were to offer my home..., my station..., my affections... .to any one among the young women engaged in my calling, they would probably be accepted. Even readily accepted. (Dickens)

Если бы случилось так, что я предложил бы свой дом, свое положение в обществе, свою любовь любой молодой женщине моей профессии, все это, вероятно, было бы принято. Даже охотно принято.

Well, Major, if you should send me to a difficult spot—with this man alone, I'd feel secure. (Heym)

Знаете, майор, если бы случилось так, что вы послали бы меня в опасное место только с одним этим человеком, я бы чувствовал себя в безопасности.

If in the subordinate clause the mood auxiliary should is used, we often find the Indicative or Imperative Mood in the principal clause.

If any of your family should come to my house, I shall be delighted to welcome them. (Trollope)

Если кому-нибудь из членов вашей семьи случится прийти в мой дом, я буду рад принять его.

If he should come, ask him to wait.

В случае если он придет, попросите его подождать.

b) In sentences of unreal condition referring to the past the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used in the subordinate clause; in the principal clause we find the analytical subjunctive consisting of the mood auxiliary should (with the first person) or would (with the second and third persons) and the Perfect Infinitive.

If I had got up earlier, I would have been on time.

If I had livedin the Stone Age, I would have been a hunter.

c) There are two mixed types of sentences of unreal condition. In the first of these the condition refers to the past and the consequence refers to the present or future.

If you had taken your medicine yesterday, you would be well now. Если бы вы вчера приняли лекарство, теперь вы были бы здоровы.

In the second type the condition refers to no particular time and the consequence to the past.

If he werenot so absent-minded, he would not have mistaken you for your sister.

Если бы он не был такой рассеянный, он не принял бы вас за вашу сестру.

Note. Unreal conditions may also be expressed in the following ways:

(a) But for the rain, we should go down to the country.

Если бы не дождь, мы бы поехали за город.

His fleshless face would have looked like the face of a mummy, but for the restless brightness of his little black eyes. (Collins)

Его изможденное лицо было бы похоже на лицо мумии, если бы не беспокойный блеск маленьких черных глаз.

(b) If it were not for your help, I should not be able to finish my work in time.

Если бы не ваша помощь, я не смог бы вовремя за-

кончить работу.

If it hadn't been for me, his own brother would have shut him

up for life. (Dickens)

Если бы не я, его собственный брат засадил бы его в сумасшедший дом на всю жизнь.

In sentences of unreal condition the modal verbs might and could are often used; they fully retain their modal meaning and therefore they do not form the analytical subjunctive. Here we have the group modal verb + Infinitive, which forms a compound verbal modal predicate, whereas the analytical subjunctive forms a simple predicate. 

If she were here now, she could help us. (ability)

If she were here now, shemight help us. (possibility)

Would, when used in the subordinate clause of a sentence of unreal condition, is also a modal verb forming with the infinitive a compound verbal modal predicate.

If you would come and see us..., mother would be as proud of your company as I should be. (Dickens)

Если бы вы пожелали навестить нас..., моя матушка была бы так же польщена этим, как и я.

Note. In conditional sentences of real condition naturally the Indicative and not the Subjunctive Mood is used. Such sentences can refer to the present, future or past.

If you fail to pay, they will cut off the electricity.

I can bear anything if you are happy.

I could bear anything if she was happy.

The conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of condition are:  if, in case, provided, suppose, unless, and some others. If is the most common conjunction used in sentences of real and unreal condition.

Adverbial clauses of condition containing the verbs had, were, could and should are often introduced without any conjunction. In these cases we find inversion.

Mary would indeed have been grateful to Miss Dunstable, could she have known all that lady did for her. (Trollope)

Мэри и в самом деле была бы очень благодарна Мисс Данстабл, если бы она могла знать все, что эта дама для нее сделала.

Should he come this way, I will speak to him. (Ch. Bronte)

Если ему случится быть здесь, я поговорю с ним.

Were it not for your help, I would still be homeless.

The Subjunctive Mood is used in sentences expressing what may be understood as an unreal consequence, the condition of which is not expressed as such.

I suppose you are a stranger in these parts, or you would have heard what happened last autumn. (Ch. Bronte)

Наверно, вы приезжая, иначе вы бы знали о том, что случилось здесь осенью.

There was no piano... because it would have taken up

much room. (Galsworthy)

Рояля не было..., так как он занял бы много места.

§ 7. The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of purpose. When a clause of purpose is introduced by the conjunctions that, so that, in order that, we find the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) if the principal clause refers to the present or future; if the principal clause refers to the past, only the form might is used.

As has already been stated, the mood auxiliary may (might) retains in this case a shade of modality.   

Let the dog loose so that he may have a run.

She opens (will open) the window that she may (might) get a breath

of fresh air.

She opened the window that she might get a breath of fresh air.

Не got up, cautiously, so that he might not wake the sleeping

boy. (Cronin)

Он тихо поднялся, чтобы не разбудить спящего мальчика.

Occasionally the mood auxiliary should is used.

I made shorthand notes of all that she said, however, so that there should be no possibility of a mistake. (Conan Doyle)

Я сделал стенографическую запись всего, что она говорила, чтобы исключить возможность ошибки.

If a clause of purpose is introduced by lest the mood auxiliary should (for all persons) is generally used. Lest has a negative meaning (чтобы не).

She dared not approach the window, lest he should see her from the street. (Dickens)

I shall remind you, lest you should forget.

§ 8. The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of concession. Adverbial clauses of concession are introduced by the conjunctions and connectives though, although, however, no matter, whatever, whoever, etc. The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary may (might) is generally used with reference to the present of future.

Though he may (might) be tired                        

Tired though he may (might) be.  ÷

No matter how tired he may (might) be he will go to the concert.

Как бы он ни был утомлен, он пойдет на концерт.

Whateverobstacles may arise, we shall not give in.

Какие бы препятствия ни встали на нашем пути, они нас не остановят.

If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Perfect Infinitive is generally used.

However badly hemay have behaved to you in the past he is still your brother. (Wilde)

Как бы плохо он ни вел себя по отношению к вам в прошлом, он все же ваш брат.

Note. The Indicative Mood is used in adverbial clauses of concession when the action or state is considered as an actual fact and not as something supposed.

Compare:

Cold though it may be, we shall go to the skating-rink (Subjunctive Mood).

Как бы ни было холодно, мы пойдем на каток.

Cold as it is, we shall go to the skating-rink (Indicative Mood).

Как ни холодно, мы пойдем на каток.

Whatever you think, I am going ahead with my plans.

§ 9. The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of time and place after the conjunctions whenever and wherever; in these cases the clauses have an additional concessive meaning.

Whenever you may (might) come, you are welcome.

Когда бы вы ни пришли, мы вам всегда рады.

Wherever she may (might) live, she will always find friends.

Где бы она ни жила, она всегда найдет друзей.

Of course, I shall come for your marriage, whenever that may

be fixed. (Trollope)

Конечно, я приеду на вашу свадьбу, когда бы ее ни назначили.

§ 10. The Subjunctive Mood is used in adverbial clauses of comparison (or manner) introduced by the conjunctions as if and as though (the latter is more literary). If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood.                                

She speaks (spoke) about himas if she knew him well.

Она говорит (говорила) о нем так, как будто она его

хорошо знает (знала).

She greeted him as ifhe were her brother. (Galsworthy)

Она поздоровалась с ним так, как будто он был ее братом. 

If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used.

She speaks (spoke) about him as if she had known him for years.

Она говорит (говорила) о нем так, как будто знает (знала) его много лет.

She flushes as though he had struck her. (Shaw)

Она заливается краской, как будто он ее ударил.  

§ 11. The Subjunctive Mood is used in predicative clauses:

a) introduced by the conjunctions as if, as though, when we find the link verbs to be, to feel, to look, to seem, etc. in the principal clause.                                             

If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood.

If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used. 

I feelas if we were back seven years, Jon. (Galsworthy)

У меня такое чувство, как будто мы вернулись на семь лет

назад, Джон.   

... now I feel as if you had never been away. (Shaw)

Теперь у меня такое чувство, как будто вы и не уезжали. 

Не looked as if he knew it to be true. (Austen) 

У него был такой вид, точно он знал, что это правда. 

The house looked as though it had been deserted for weeks.

У дома был такой вид, точно в нем уже много недель

никто не жил.

b) when the subject of the principal clause is expressed by an abstract noun such as wish, suggestion, aim, idea, etc. In this case the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should (for all persons) is used:

Mary's wish was that... our mothershould come and live

with her. (E. Bronte)

Мэри хотелось, чтобы наша мать переехала к ней жить.

...his arrangement with them had been that they should meet him at Plymouth. (Hardy)

Он условился с ними, что они встретят его в Плимуте.

One of the conditions was that I should go abroad. (Swinnerton)

 Одно из условий заключалось в том, чтобы я поехал за границу.

§ 12. The Subjunctive Mood is used in subject clauses introduced by the anticipatory it (it is necessary, it is important, it is right, it is requested, it is recommended, obligatory, desirable, etc.). The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should is used for all persons.

It was necessary that the child's history should be known to none.

Надо было, чтобы историю этого ребенка никто не узнал.

It was desirable that she... should marry this earnest, well-to-do and respectable man. (Hardy)

Было желательно, чтобы она... вышла замуж за этого серьезного, состоятельного и солидного человека.

It is better for these young men ...that they should not remain here.

Для этих молодых людей лучше, чтобы они не оставались здесь.

§ 13. The Subjunctive Mood is used in object clauses:

a) after expressions of wish in the principal clause. If the action expressed in the object clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood. This is formal and has the effect of making a wish more doubtful:

I wish Tessa were here now.

I wish we were all as young as he (Galsworthy)

Жаль, что мы все не так молоды, как он.

I wish it were all over.

Как бы мне хотелось, чтобы все это кончилось.

I wish she felt as I do. (E. Bronte)

Я бы хотела, чтобы она чувствовал то же, что и я.

Не wished he had someone to talk to ... (Wilson)

Он хотел, чтобы у него был кто-нибудь, с кем можно

было бы поговорить.

If the action expressed in the object clause is prior to that of the principal clause the Past Perfect of the Indicative Mood is used.

Auntie, I wish I had not done it. (Twain)

Тетя, мне очень жаль, что я это сделал.

I wish you hadn’t put yourself to so much trouble.

Жаль, что вы причинили себе столько беспокойства.

The above examples show that such sentences are often translated by means of как жаль, мне жаль.

The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary would (for all persons) is also used in object clauses after the verb to wish. This form is used only in sentences referring to the present or future; it is possible only if the subject of the principal clause is not the same as the subject of the object clause. It is chiefly used in sentences expressing request or annoyance.

I wish you would stay with me for a while. (Voynich)

Я бы хотел, чтобы вы побыли немного со мной.

I wish you would not talk like this, papa. (Conrad)

Я бы хотела, чтобы вы не говорили так, папа.

We must use could and not would after I and We:

I wish I could be you.

I wish we could be together.

I wish I could swim.

I wish I could have been with you.

Would expresses willingness; could expresses ability:

I wish he would come tomorrow, (i.e. I don't know if he wants to)

I wish he could come tomorrow, (i.e. I'm sure he can't)

I wish Tessa could have come to my party, (i.e. she wasn't able to)

b) The Subjunctive Mood is used in object clauses introduced by the conjunction lest if in the principal clause the predicate is expressed by a verb denoting fear. The mood auxiliary should is used for all persons.

Dr. Brown was afraid lest Margaret should think the house bare and cheerless. (Gaskell)

Не trembled lest his secretshould be discovered.

Он дрожал при мысли, что его тайна будет раскрыта.

I dreaded lest any stranger should notice me and speak

to me. (Eliot)

Я боялась, что какой-нибудь незнакомый человек заметит меня и заговорит со мной.

After verbs denoting fear object clauses are often introduced by the conjunction that, in which case the Indicative Mood is used, often with the modal verb may (might).

Pick up your spectacles. I’m afraid that someone may step on them.

She fears (feared) that shewill (would) be blamed.

She fears (feared) that she may (might) be blamed.

c) The Subjunctive Mood is used in object clauses after expressions of order, recommendation or suggestion, advice, desire in the principal clause (to order, to suggest, to propose to demand, to desire, to insist, to be anxious, to see to it). The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should (for all persons) is used.

Arnie called him at the lab, suggesting that they should get together and talk things over. (Wilson)

In American English we often find the Present Subjunctive in this case.

... she insisted that they open a bottle of wine and toast his

success. (Stone)

Она настаивала, чтобы они откупорили бутылку вина и выпили за его успех.

§ 14. The Subjunctive Mood is used in attributive appositive clauses modifying the nouns wish, suggestion, aim, idea, etc. The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should (for all persons) is used.

Orders were given that we should startat nine.

A resolution was passed that all should take part in the work.

His wish that everybody should take part in the work was reasonable.

§ 15. The Subjunctive Mood is also used in attributive clauses modifying the noun time in the principal clause: It is time, It is high time. In this case the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite of the Indicative Mood.

It’s time we got out. (Cusack)

Нам пора выбираться.

Clearly, it’s time someone gave you a bit of advice. (Snow)

Ясное дело, пора кому-нибудь дать тебе совет.

I suppose it’s time I made up my mind. (Snow)

Я полагаю, мне пора принять решение.

Now then, children. It's high time youwere washed and

dressed. (Mansfield)

Ну, дети, давно пора умываться и одеваться.

The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should is also possible, though less common.

It is high time that you should be known. (Cronin)

Давно пора, чтобы тебя узнали.

§ 16. Should may have a peculiar function– it may be used for emotional colouring. We call it the emotional should. Here we always find the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should+ Indefinite Infinitive (if the actions are simultaneous). If priority is expressed the Perfect Infinitive is used.

In this case the Subjunctive Mood is rendered in Russian by the Indicative Mood.                

The emotional should occurs in different kinds of subordinate clauses. We find the emotional should in the following cases:

a) In object clauses after expressions of astonishment, incredulity, regret, joy, surprise:

It is strange I should never have heard him even mention

your name. (Austen)

Странно, что я никогда даже не слышала, чтобы он упоминал ваше имя.              .

It is impossible that she should have said it.

He может быть (невозможно), чтобы она это сказала (не могла она это сказать).

He was little surprised that Ann should speak so frankly about it.

I am sorry that you should think so badly of me.

It is absurd that such things should happen to a family like theirs.

In the principal clause we can also find such expression as it is wonderful (natural, singular, terrible, monstrous, odd);it infuriated (outraged, startled, surprised, puzzled) me; it struck me as funny, etc.

b) Sometimes the same attitude may be expressed in the principal clause by a noun with the same meaning: wonder, pity, shame, etc.

He is such a charming man that it is quite a pity he should be so grave and so dull. (Austen)

Он такой чудесный человек; как жаль, что он такой серьезный и скучный.

c) The Subjunctive Mood with the emotional should may also occur:

1. In rhetorical questions beginning with why: 

Why should you and I talk about it? (Dickens)

К чему нам с вами говорить об этом?

Why should I do it?

С какой стати я буду делать это?

2. In constructions of the following kind:

The door opened and who should come in but Tom.

Дверь открылась, и кто бы вы думали вошел? Не кто иной

как Том.

That it should come to this! To think that it should come to this!

И до чего дошло дело! Подумать только, до чего дошло дело!

In sentences of this kind the Indicative Mood is also possible.

Oh! It is strange he never mentioned to me that he had a ward.

It is only wonderful we have seen no living creature there before.

Chapter XIV