Курсовая работа: The problems of the Subjunctive Mood in English

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

e.g. She speaks about him as if she had known him for years.

· 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 fell, to look, to seem, etc. in the principal clause.

If the action of 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.

e.g. I fell as if we were back seven years, Jon.

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.

e.g. One of the conditions was that I should go abroad.

· The Subjunctive Mood is used in subject clause after a principal clause of the type It is necessary, It is important, etc.

It is necessary

It is important

It is right

It is requested

It is recommended that smb. should do smth.

It is obligatory

It is better (best)

It is desirable

It is of vital importance

The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should is used for all persons.

e.g. It was necessary that the child’s history should be known to none.

· The Subjunctive Mood is used in object clauses:

a) When the predicate of the principal clause is expressed by the verb to

wish . 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.

e.g. I wish I were a girl again.

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.

e.g. Auntie, I wish I had not done it.

The analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary would (for all persons) is also used in object clauses 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 principle clause is not the same as the subject of the object clause. It is chiefly used in sentences expressing request or annoyance.

e.g. I wish you would stay with me for a while.