The SUBJUNCTIVE

1) WISH/IF ONLY OJAL a) WISH + PAST SIMPLE : regret about a present situation somebody wants to be different. I wish I knew English better. He wished he were younger. If only Jane had a bilingual dictionary, so she could look up the words she doesnt understand. b) WISH + PAST PERFECT: regret about the past: something happened or didnt happen in the past I wish I had known her phone number, so I could have rung her up. I wish you hadnt lost that photo. It was a really good one. c) WISH + CONDITIONAL: wish for a change in how someone behaves. It can be used to express criticism or complaint about a present situation. We use the same pattern to express a wish for someone to do something, or for something to happen. She seldom writes. I wish she would write more often. We dont know a thing. If only theyd tell us whats happening. If only it would stop raining, then we could go for a walk. 2) AS IF / AS THOUGH COMO SI a) + PAST SIMPLE: untrue situation in the present. He speaks French as if he were from France. b) + PAST PERFECT: untrue situation in the past. She behaved as if she had been awarded the prize. 3) ITS (about) TIME/ ITS HIGH TIME Va siendo hora de que Es hora de que a) To express present or future wishes, or to express our impatience about things that havent happened yet. Its time to go. Its time for us to go. b) + SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE Its time we went. Kim cant even boil an egg. I know. Its time/high time/about time she learnt to cook. 4) HAD BETTER + BARE INFINITIVE ( present/future reference). To express advice =should. We had better stop smoking. = We should stop smoking. 5) WOULD RATHER/SOONER= WOULD PREFER a) WOULD RATHER + BARE INFINITIVE when both verbs have the same subject. Id rather go/Id rather not go b) WOULD RATHER + PAST SIMPLE (present/future) when the subjects are different. Theyd rather you didnt go by taxi. c) WOULD RATHER + PAST PERFECT ( past reference) Id rather you hadnt sent those flowers. Compare the structures: PREFER, WOULD RATHER and WOULD PREFER a) PREFER + GERUND/NOUN + TO + GERUND/NOUN (general) I prefer TV to the cinema. I prefer watching to going to the cinema. b) PREFER + FULL INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + BARE INFINITIVE (general reference) I prefer to stay at home rather than go out. c) WOULD PREFER + FULL INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + BARE INFINITIVE (specific reference) Id prefer to write to him rather than call him. d) WOULD RATHER + BARE INFINITIVE + THAN + BARE INFINITIVE Id rather buy a new dress than have this one taken in.

6) The subjunctive after certain verbs to express hopes, doubts

We use the subjunctive form with these verbs when they are followed by a new sentence i.e. when the subject of the 2nd sentence is different from the one in the first sentence. When we use the subjunctive, we use the infinitive of the verb after the subject. The boss insists that we be early tomorrow. His doctor suggested that he remain in bed for a week. To form the negative, NOT is placed before the verb. I recommended that she not go to the concert. In the passive BE + PAST PARTICIPLE is used: He requested that the child be named after his grandfather. There is another structure similar to the subjunctive. SHOULD after the 2nd subject. The boss insists that we should be early tomorrow. His doctor suggested that he should remain in bed for a week. The students requested that the teacher should correct all their homework. The manager proposed that she should come earlier every morning. 7) Expressions with certain adjectives in order to give emphasis.

advise (that) ask (that) demand (that)

insist (that) prefer (that) propose (that)

recommend (that) request ( that) suggest (that)

It is important that he sign the will in front of a witness. It is essential that our soldiers receive the support of their families. However, the most common structure would be an infinitive structure: It is + adjective + full infinitive It is desirable to understand something before doing it. It is vital to arrive by tomorrow.

It is desirable (that) It is essential (that) It is important (that)

It is necessary (that) It is vital (that)

THE SUBJUNTIVE. PRACTICE 1. Put the verbs into the right form or tense 1. Id sooner you . (do) something with your time. 2. He didnt win a prize, but he looked as though he . (win) one. 3. Its about time you (go) on holiday. 4. Id rather you (not/drive) so fast, Pat. 5. Its a shame you missed the party. I would rather you (be) there. 6. She would prefer (meet) you personally rather than .. (talk) to you over the phone. 7. Sean prefers . (play) football to . (watch) it. 8. Would you rather .. (write) in ink or in pencil? 9. I wish I . (be) as good as you at mathematics. 10. Crime . (continue) to rise unless more police. (be) put on the streets. 11. Wed better . (take) some money for a taxi in case we .. (miss) the last bus. 12. IF only Jim . (not/move) to London last year. 2. Rewrite these sentences without changing the meaning. 1. Dan and Iris dont really want to go to the wedding. (RATHER) 2. You hair is long. It needs cutting. (HIGH) 3. I prefer tennis to squash. (PLAY) 4. I dont think its a good idea to park here. (BETTER) 5. Id rather give them a cheque than pay on my credit card. (RATHER) 6. You must tidy up this messy room. ( TIME) 7. I advise you to check the brakes on your car. (BETTER) 8. I prefer you not to smoke in my house. (RATHER) 9. It wouldnt be wise to drive in such bad weather. (BETTER) 10. Would you rather go by bus or train? (GOING) 11. Its a pity you didnt tell my last week instead of now. (RATHER) 3. USE OF ENGLISH. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence 1. Excuse me, is somebody serving you, sir? BEING Excuse me 2. I think we should go home now. WENT Its 3. The painters painted our house last month. HAD We 4. Its a pity that Charles is always complaining. WOULDNT I .. 5. Someone will meet you at the airport. You 6. People think that train-robber Dave Briggs has escaped. Train-robber Dave Briggs . 7. Dont forget to buy some bread, Mum, said Pauline. REMINDED Pauline. 8. Have you received your salary yet? BEEN Have .. 9. I think Ill manage to finish the letter by 4.00. GET I think Ill . 10. My parents made me study every night. WAS I ..