Summary of Lecture16 Subjunctive Mood.ppt

Subjunctive Mood Lecture 16 Contents 16.1 BE-Subjunctive There are two forms of the subjunctive: be-subjunctive were-subjunctive 2. Used in certain adverbial-clauses The be-subjunctive is also used in adverbial clauses introduced by if, though, whatever, whether, lest, etc. This use is limited only to formal style, while in informal style the indicative mood or should/may＋verb is used instead. 3. Used in certain fixed expressions The be-subjunctive is also used in some fixed expressions to express a wish, prayer, curse, etc． 16.2 WERE-Subjunctive After a number of expressions, like if only, we use past tenses to describe things in the present, past or future which are imagined or unreal or unlikely. The past tense can be: ① the simple past tense ② the past progressive aspect ③ the past perfective aspect ④ the past form of modal auxiliaries. WERE-Subjunctive can be used: ① in certain adverbial clauses ② in certain that-clauses 1. Used in Certain Adverbial Clauses The adverbial clause is usually introduced by: if, if only, as if (though), though. 1) to express unreal conditions or concessions in contrast to the present facts. 2) to express unreal conditions or concessions in contrast to the past facts. Used in certain that-clauses after such verbs as: “wish, would rather, suppose, …” to express a desire we know that is impossible to achieve, e.g.; 16.3 Some few notes on ways of expressing hypothetical meanings 1. It’s (high/about) time that-clause We use it to say that something is not happening and it should be. 3. …as if/as though… 4. If only… Lecture 16 The Subjunctive Mood Lecture 16 The Subjunctive Mood BE-subjunctive 16.1 WERE-subjunctive 16.2 Some few notes on the ways of expressing hypothetical meanings 16.3 The Be-subjunctive is realized by the base form of the verb. That’s to say whatever the person of the subject is, the predicator invariably takes the base form． It does not show any marking for tenses and can be used to refer to events in