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(Lindsay)
N o t e. — Pay special attention to the difference between I have something to
tell you and I have to tell you something. In the latter case the speaker
expresses the necessity of telling something to somebody, whereas in the
former the verb to have preserves to a certain extent its meaning of possession
and the speaker merely states that he has something which he either wants or
must communicate to somebody. The difference in word order is caused by
the difference in the meaning of the verb to have. In the first case it is not a
modal verb, thus, have is a simple predicate, something is a direct object and
the infinitive is an attribute. In the second sentence have to tell is a modal
expression, so it is a compound verbal modal predicate and something is an
object to the infinitive.
§ 8. Shall.
Shall is never a purely modal verb. It always combines its modal meaning with the function of an auxiliary expressing futurity.
It expresses determination on the part of the speaker, i. e. compulsion or order, threat or warning, promise.
As a rule shall as a modal verb is not translated into Russian, its meaning is rendered by emphatic intonation.
1. Compulsion or strict order.
In this meaning it is always used with the second and third persons and has a strong stress.
P a u l a. I’ve got to tell Mr. Tanqueray.
H u g h. By God, you shall do nothing of the sort. (Pinero)
П а у л а. Я должна сказать мистеру Тэнкери.
Х ь ю. Клянусь богом, вы этого не сделаете.
“She shall go off tomorrow, the little artful creature,” said Mrs. Sedley, with
great energy. (Thackeray)
«Она уедет завтра же, эта маленькая интриганка», — энергично заявила
миссис Седли.
In interrogative sentences shall is used in the first and third persons to inquire after the wish of the person addressed.
Shall I shut the door, madam? (Dickens)
(Do you want me to shut the door?)
Закрыть дверь, сударыня?
Shall he go there?
(Do you want him to go there?)
Идти ему туда?
2. Threat or warning.
In this meaning it is also used in the second and third persons and with a weak stress.
“That’s the last time!” she cried. “You shall never see me again!” (Maugham)
«Это конец! — закричала она. — Вы никогда меня больше не
увидите!»
You shall repent of this neglect of duty, Mr. Gummer. (Dickens)
Вы еще раскаетесь в том, что пренебрегаете долгом, мистер Гаммер.
3. Promise.
It is also used with the second and third persons and with a weak stress.
Don’t be afraid, Jane, I saw it was an accident. You shall not be punished.
(Ch. Bronte)
He бойся, Джейн, я видела, что это произошло случайно. Тебя не
накажут.
I shall make you happy, see if I don’t. You shall do what you like, spend what
you like. (Thackeray)
Я сделаю вас счастливой, вот увидите. Вы будете делать что хотите и
тратить сколько хотите.
§ 9. Will.
Will is hardly ever a purely modal verb. It generally combines its modal meaning with the function of an auxiliary expressing futurity.
The modal verb will expresses volition, intention on the part of the speaker, or insistence.
1. Volition, intention.
In most cases this meaning is rendered in Russian by emphatic intonation, but sometimes the verb хотетьis used. It is used with all persons but mostly with the first person.
“What is this? Who is this? Turn this man out. Clear the office!” cried Mr.
Fang. “I will speak,” cried the man. “I
will not be turned out...” (Dickens)
«Что это? Кто это? Выставьте этого человека за дверь! Очистите
помещение!» — закричал мистер Фанг. «Нет, я буду говорить! —
крикнул человек. — Меня не выставят!»
Besides, since happiness is irrevocably denied me, I have a right to get
pleasure out of life: and I will get it, cost what it may. (E. Bronte)
Кроме того, раз счастье для меня невозможно, я вправе получать от
жизни удовольствия; и я буду получать их, чего бы это ни стоило.
Tell Mr. Osborne it is a cowardly letter, sir, a cowardly letter — I will not
answer it. (Thackeray)
Скажите мистеру Осборну, что это трусливое письмо, сэр, трусливое; я
на него не отвечу.
Very often will is used after the conjunction if in conditional clauses where it retains its modal meaning, that of volition.
You may laugh if you will but I was sure I should see her there. (E. Bronte)
Можете смеяться, если хотите, но я был уверен, что встречу ее там.
The modal verb wilt is used in polite requests.
Will you have a cup of tea?
Will you give me a piece of bread, for I am very hungry? (Ch. Bronte)
N o t e. — The modal verb will should not be confused with the auxiliary will
in American English where there is a marked tendency to use it with all the
persons.
2. Persistence referring to the present or to the future.
“Don’t tell me.” “But I will tell you,” repeated Sikes. (Dickens)
«He говорите мне про это». «А я все равно скажу», — повторил Сайкc.
She begins to act very strangely. She will not speak, she will not eat; finally
she dies. (Maugham)
Она начинает вести себя очень странно. Она не желает говорить, она не
желает есть, наконец, она умирает.
It is also used in speaking about lifeless things when the speaker is annoyed at something and speaks about a thing or a phenomenon of nature as if it possessed a will of its own (there is an element of personification here).
It’s no use trying to open the door, it will not open.
Нечего стараться открыть эту дверь — она все равно не откроется.
§ 10. Would.
Would was originally the past tense of will in the same way as should was the past tense of shall. But while the latter has acquired new shades of meaning, would has preserved those of will. Thus it expresses volition, persistence referring to the past.
1. Volition.
In this meaning it is mostly used in negative sentences.
She was going away and would not say where she was going. (Dreiser)
Она уезжала и не хотела сказать, куда едет.
2. Persistence.
I asked him not to bang the door, but he would do it.
Я просил его на хлопать дверью, а он все продолжал хлопать.
Several times Eckerman tried to get away, but Goethe would not let him go.
(Maugham)
Несколько раз Эккерман пытался уйти, но Гёте ни за что не отпускал
его.
It is also used in speaking about lifeless things in the same way as will (see § 9), but in this use would is more common than will.
...and that was all he could see, for the sedan doors wouldn’t open and the
blinds wouldn’t pull up. (Dickens)
...и это было все, что ему было видно, ибо двери портшеза никак не
открывались и занавеси никак не поднимались.
§ 11. Dare.
Dare means ‘to have the courage (or impertinence) to do something’. In the negative it denotes the lack of courage to do something.
“How dare you ask the little Kelveys into the courtyard,” said her cold,
furious voice. (Mansfield)
The verb dare as well as need has some peculiarities which make it different from other modal verbs.
It is used both as a normal verb (taking the auxiliary do in the interrogative and negative forms, ‑s in the third person singular and the to-Infinitive) and as an anomalous verb (without any auxiliary in its interrogative and negative forms, without ‑s in the third person singular and without the particle to before the infinitive which follows it). Dare has two forms — dare for the Present and dared for the Past.
Did he dare to strike me when I was down? (E. Bronte)
He did not dare to meet his uncle. (Kruisinga)
How dare you go out by yourself after the orders I gave you? (Shaw)
You dare address me in that tone! (Shaw)
Sometimes dare takes the auxiliary but is followed by the bare infinitive.
You know you didn’t dare give the order to charge the bridge until you saw
us on the other side. (Shaw) ‘
Dare is mostly used in interrogative and negative sentences. However, we often come across I dare say which has become a stock phrase and acquired a new meaning ‘I suppose’. Dare is used only with the Indefinite Infinitive.
§ 12. Need.
Need expresses necessity. It is mostly used in negative and interrogative sentences.
You needn’t be in such a fright. Take my arm. (Shaw)
He надо так бояться. Возьмите меня, под руку.
N o t e. — When need is used in the meaning of ‘to be in want of’ it is treated
as a normal verb.
He needs a new pair of shoes.
Need has only one tense form — the Present. In the same way as dare, need is used as a normal and as an anomalous verb; the latter is much more common in colloquial English.
One need to be careful.(Zandvoort)
He did not need to be told twice. (Zandvoort)
Why need he bother us? (Knuslnga)
I am here. You needn’t be afraid. (Greene)
I need
hardly sayI would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s
happiness. (Wilde)
Need is used both with the Indefinite and with the Perfect Infinitive.
I suppose I needn’t have madethat observation. (Pinero)
Пожалуй, не к чему мне было делать такое замечание.
MOOD
Mood is a grammatical category which indicates the attitude of the speaker towards the action expressed by the verb from the point of view of its reality.
In Modern English we distinguish three moods:
(1) The Indicative Mood.
(2) The Imperative Mood.
(3) The Subjunctive Mood.
THE INDICATIVE MOOD
The Indicative Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is presented as a fact.
We went home early in the evening. (Dickens)
The Indicative Mood is also used to express a real condition, i. e. a condition the realization of which is considered possible.
If it rains, I shall stay at home.
If Catherine disobeys us, we shall disinherit her. (Eliot)
THE IMPERATIVE MOOD
The Imperative Mood expresses a command or a request. In Modern English the Imperative Mood has only one form which coincides with the infinitive without the particle to; it is used in the second person (singular and plural).
Be quiet and hear what I tell you. (Eliot)
Please put the papers on the table by the bed.(Hemingway)
In forming the negative the auxiliary verb to do is always used, even with the verb to be.
Hush! Don’t make a noise! (Eliot)
Don’t be angry... (Hemingway)
The auxiliary verb to do may also be used in affirmative sentences to make the request more emphatic.
But now, do sing again to us. (Eliot)
To make a request or an order more emphatic the subject expressed by the pronoun you is sometimes used. It is characteristic of colloquial speech.
I’ll drive and you sleep awhile. (Hemingway)
N o t e. — A command addressed to the third person singular and plural is
usually expressed with the help of the verb to let.
Let the child go home at once.
Пусть ребенок сейчас же идет домой.
Let the children go home at once.
Пусть дети сейчас же идут домой.
With the first person plural the verb to let isused to express an exhortation to a joint action.
Let’s go and have some fresh coffee. (Mansfield)
Пойдемте выпьем свежего кофе.
THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
§ 1. The Subjunctive Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb ispresented as a non-fact, as something imaginary or desired. The Subjunctive Mood is also used to express an emotional attitude of the speaker, to real facts. (A detailed treatment of this use of the Subjunctive Mood is given in § 16.)
In Modern English the Subjunctive Mood has synthetic and analytical forms.
“I wish I were ten years older,” I said. (Braine)
«Хотел бы я быть на десять лет старше», — сказал я.
I wish you would speak rationally. (E. Bronte)
Я хотел бы, чтобы вы говорили разумно.
§ 2. The synthetic forms of the Subjunctive Mood can be traced to theOld English period when the Subjunctive Mood was chiefly expressed by synthetic, forms. In Old English the Subjunctive Mood had a special set of inflections, different from those of the Indicative.
In course of time most of the inflections were lost and the difference between the forms of the Subjunctive and those of the Indicative has almost disappeared. However, in Modern English there are a few synthetic forms of the Subjunctive which have survived; they are as follows: the Present Subjunctive of all the verbs and the Past Subjunctive only of the verb to be.
The Present Subjunctive
The Past Subjunctive
I. T h e P r e s e n t S u b j u n c t i v e. In the Present Subjunctive the verb to be has the form be for all the persons singular and plural, which differs from the corresponding forms of the. Indicative Mood (the Present Indefinite). In all other verbs the forms of the Present Subjunctive differ from the corresponding forms of the Indicative Mood only in the third person singular, which in the Present Subjunctive has no ending ‑s.
The Present Subjunctive denotes an action referring to the present or future. This form is seldom used in Modern English. It may be found in poetry and in elevated prose, where these forms are archaisms used with a certain stylistic aim. It is also used in scientific language and in the language of official documents, where it is a living form.
Wretched is the infant’s lot,
Born within the straw-roof’d cot;
Be he generous, wise or brave,
He must only be a slave. (Southey)
Печальна судьба ребенка,
Родившегося в хижине с соломенной крышей;
Как бы великодушен, умен и храбр он ни был,
Он все равно будет рабом.
Though all the world be false, still will I be true. (Trollope)
Даже если весь мир будет лживым, все же я буду правдива.
The Present Subjunctive also occurs in some set expressions.
Be it so!
Пусть будет так! Да будет так!
Suffice it to say that he soon came back.
Достаточно сказать, что он скоро вернулся.
God forbid!
Боже упаси! Сохрани бог!
Far be it from me to contradict you.
У меня и в мыслях не было противоречить вам.
In American English the Present Subjunctive is used not only in the above mentioned cases but also in colloquial language.
Yates called the hospital and insisted that one of the doctors come to the
phone. (Heym)
Йейтс позвонил в госпиталь и потребовал, чтобы кто-нибудь из врачей
подошел к телефону.
II. T h e P a s t S u b j u n c t i v e. In the Past Subjunctive the verb to be has the form were for all the persons singular and plural, which in the singular differs from the corresponding form of the Indicative Mood (the Past Indefinite).
N o t e. — Occasionally the form was, which coincides with the form of the
Indicative Mood, can be found in the singular.
I know I am affectionate. I wouldn’t say it, if I wasn’t certain that I am.
(Dickens)
The Past Subjunctive is widely used in Modern English and occurs not only in literature but also in colloquial language.
The term ‘Past Subjunctive’ is merely traditional as in Modern English it does not necessarily express a past action. In adverbial clauses of condition it denotes an unreal condition referring to the present or future. In other types of subordinate clauses it denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; thus it may refer to the present and to the past.
If I were ill I should like to be nursed by you. (Bennett)
Если бы я был болен, я бы хотел, чтобы за мной ухаживали вы.
I want to go everywhere, I wish I were a gipsy. (Galsworthy)
Мне хочется всюду побывать. Я хотела бы быть цыганкой.
I wished he were less remote. (DuMaurler)
Я хотела бы, чтобы он не был таким отчужденным.
N o t e. — Pay special attention to the difference between I have something to
tell you and I have to tell you something. In the latter case the speaker
expresses the necessity of telling something to somebody, whereas in the
former the verb to have preserves to a certain extent its meaning of possession
and the speaker merely states that he has something which he either wants or
must communicate to somebody. The difference in word order is caused by
the difference in the meaning of the verb to have. In the first case it is not a
modal verb, thus, have is a simple predicate, something is a direct object and
the infinitive is an attribute. In the second sentence have to tell is a modal
expression, so it is a compound verbal modal predicate and something is an
object to the infinitive.
§ 8. Shall.
Shall is never a purely modal verb. It always combines its modal meaning with the function of an auxiliary expressing futurity.
It expresses determination on the part of the speaker, i. e. compulsion or order, threat or warning, promise.
As a rule shall as a modal verb is not translated into Russian, its meaning is rendered by emphatic intonation.
1. Compulsion or strict order.
In this meaning it is always used with the second and third persons and has a strong stress.
P a u l a. I’ve got to tell Mr. Tanqueray.
H u g h. By God, you shall do nothing of the sort. (Pinero)
П а у л а. Я должна сказать мистеру Тэнкери.
Х ь ю. Клянусь богом, вы этого не сделаете.
“She shall go off tomorrow, the little artful creature,” said Mrs. Sedley, with
great energy. (Thackeray)
«Она уедет завтра же, эта маленькая интриганка», — энергично заявила
миссис Седли.
In interrogative sentences shall is used in the first and third persons to inquire after the wish of the person addressed.
Shall I shut the door, madam? (Dickens)
(Do you want me to shut the door?)
Закрыть дверь, сударыня?
Shall he go there?
(Do you want him to go there?)
Идти ему туда?
2. Threat or warning.
In this meaning it is also used in the second and third persons and with a weak stress.
“That’s the last time!” she cried. “You shall never see me again!” (Maugham)
«Это конец! — закричала она. — Вы никогда меня больше не
увидите!»
You shall repent of this neglect of duty, Mr. Gummer. (Dickens)
Вы еще раскаетесь в том, что пренебрегаете долгом, мистер Гаммер.
3. Promise.
It is also used with the second and third persons and with a weak stress.
Don’t be afraid, Jane, I saw it was an accident. You shall not be punished.
(Ch. Bronte)
He бойся, Джейн, я видела, что это произошло случайно. Тебя не
накажут.
I shall make you happy, see if I don’t. You shall do what you like, spend what
you like. (Thackeray)
Я сделаю вас счастливой, вот увидите. Вы будете делать что хотите и
тратить сколько хотите.
§ 9. Will.
Will is hardly ever a purely modal verb. It generally combines its modal meaning with the function of an auxiliary expressing futurity.
The modal verb will expresses volition, intention on the part of the speaker, or insistence.
1. Volition, intention.
In most cases this meaning is rendered in Russian by emphatic intonation, but sometimes the verb хотетьis used. It is used with all persons but mostly with the first person.
“What is this? Who is this? Turn this man out. Clear the office!” cried Mr.
Fang. “I will speak,” cried the man. “I
will not be turned out...” (Dickens)
«Что это? Кто это? Выставьте этого человека за дверь! Очистите
помещение!» — закричал мистер Фанг. «Нет, я буду говорить! —
крикнул человек. — Меня не выставят!»
Besides, since happiness is irrevocably denied me, I have a right to get
pleasure out of life: and I will get it, cost what it may. (E. Bronte)
Кроме того, раз счастье для меня невозможно, я вправе получать от
жизни удовольствия; и я буду получать их, чего бы это ни стоило.
Tell Mr. Osborne it is a cowardly letter, sir, a cowardly letter — I will not
answer it. (Thackeray)
Скажите мистеру Осборну, что это трусливое письмо, сэр, трусливое; я
на него не отвечу.
Very often will is used after the conjunction if in conditional clauses where it retains its modal meaning, that of volition.
You may laugh if you will but I was sure I should see her there. (E. Bronte)
Можете смеяться, если хотите, но я был уверен, что встречу ее там.
The modal verb wilt is used in polite requests.
Will you have a cup of tea?
Will you give me a piece of bread, for I am very hungry? (Ch. Bronte)
N o t e. — The modal verb will should not be confused with the auxiliary will
in American English where there is a marked tendency to use it with all the
persons.
2. Persistence referring to the present or to the future.
“Don’t tell me.” “But I will tell you,” repeated Sikes. (Dickens)
«He говорите мне про это». «А я все равно скажу», — повторил Сайкc.
She begins to act very strangely. She will not speak, she will not eat; finally
she dies. (Maugham)
Она начинает вести себя очень странно. Она не желает говорить, она не
желает есть, наконец, она умирает.
It is also used in speaking about lifeless things when the speaker is annoyed at something and speaks about a thing or a phenomenon of nature as if it possessed a will of its own (there is an element of personification here).
It’s no use trying to open the door, it will not open.
Нечего стараться открыть эту дверь — она все равно не откроется.
§ 10. Would.
Would was originally the past tense of will in the same way as should was the past tense of shall. But while the latter has acquired new shades of meaning, would has preserved those of will. Thus it expresses volition, persistence referring to the past.
1. Volition.
In this meaning it is mostly used in negative sentences.
She was going away and would not say where she was going. (Dreiser)
Она уезжала и не хотела сказать, куда едет.
2. Persistence.
I asked him not to bang the door, but he would do it.
Я просил его на хлопать дверью, а он все продолжал хлопать.
Several times Eckerman tried to get away, but Goethe would not let him go.
(Maugham)
Несколько раз Эккерман пытался уйти, но Гёте ни за что не отпускал
его.
It is also used in speaking about lifeless things in the same way as will (see § 9), but in this use would is more common than will.
...and that was all he could see, for the sedan doors wouldn’t open and the
blinds wouldn’t pull up. (Dickens)
...и это было все, что ему было видно, ибо двери портшеза никак не
открывались и занавеси никак не поднимались.
§ 11. Dare.
Dare means ‘to have the courage (or impertinence) to do something’. In the negative it denotes the lack of courage to do something.
“How dare you ask the little Kelveys into the courtyard,” said her cold,
furious voice. (Mansfield)
The verb dare as well as need has some peculiarities which make it different from other modal verbs.
It is used both as a normal verb (taking the auxiliary do in the interrogative and negative forms, ‑s in the third person singular and the to-Infinitive) and as an anomalous verb (without any auxiliary in its interrogative and negative forms, without ‑s in the third person singular and without the particle to before the infinitive which follows it). Dare has two forms — dare for the Present and dared for the Past.
Did he dare to strike me when I was down? (E. Bronte)
He did not dare to meet his uncle. (Kruisinga)
How dare you go out by yourself after the orders I gave you? (Shaw)
You dare address me in that tone! (Shaw)
Sometimes dare takes the auxiliary but is followed by the bare infinitive.
You know you didn’t dare give the order to charge the bridge until you saw
us on the other side. (Shaw) ‘
Dare is mostly used in interrogative and negative sentences. However, we often come across I dare say which has become a stock phrase and acquired a new meaning ‘I suppose’. Dare is used only with the Indefinite Infinitive.
§ 12. Need.
Need expresses necessity. It is mostly used in negative and interrogative sentences.
You needn’t be in such a fright. Take my arm. (Shaw)
He надо так бояться. Возьмите меня, под руку.
N o t e. — When need is used in the meaning of ‘to be in want of’ it is treated
as a normal verb.
He needs a new pair of shoes.
Need has only one tense form — the Present. In the same way as dare, need is used as a normal and as an anomalous verb; the latter is much more common in colloquial English.
One need to be careful.(Zandvoort)
He did not need to be told twice. (Zandvoort)
Why need he bother us? (Knuslnga)
I am here. You needn’t be afraid. (Greene)
I need
hardly sayI would do anything in the world to ensure Gwendolen’s
happiness. (Wilde)
Need is used both with the Indefinite and with the Perfect Infinitive.
I suppose I needn’t have madethat observation. (Pinero)
Пожалуй, не к чему мне было делать такое замечание.
MOOD
Mood is a grammatical category which indicates the attitude of the speaker towards the action expressed by the verb from the point of view of its reality.
In Modern English we distinguish three moods:
(1) The Indicative Mood.
(2) The Imperative Mood.
(3) The Subjunctive Mood.
THE INDICATIVE MOOD
The Indicative Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is presented as a fact.
We went home early in the evening. (Dickens)
The Indicative Mood is also used to express a real condition, i. e. a condition the realization of which is considered possible.
If it rains, I shall stay at home.
If Catherine disobeys us, we shall disinherit her. (Eliot)
THE IMPERATIVE MOOD
The Imperative Mood expresses a command or a request. In Modern English the Imperative Mood has only one form which coincides with the infinitive without the particle to; it is used in the second person (singular and plural).
Be quiet and hear what I tell you. (Eliot)
Please put the papers on the table by the bed.(Hemingway)
In forming the negative the auxiliary verb to do is always used, even with the verb to be.
Hush! Don’t make a noise! (Eliot)
Don’t be angry... (Hemingway)
The auxiliary verb to do may also be used in affirmative sentences to make the request more emphatic.
But now, do sing again to us. (Eliot)
To make a request or an order more emphatic the subject expressed by the pronoun you is sometimes used. It is characteristic of colloquial speech.
I’ll drive and you sleep awhile. (Hemingway)
N o t e. — A command addressed to the third person singular and plural is
usually expressed with the help of the verb to let.
Let the child go home at once.
Пусть ребенок сейчас же идет домой.
Let the children go home at once.
Пусть дети сейчас же идут домой.
With the first person plural the verb to let isused to express an exhortation to a joint action.
Let’s go and have some fresh coffee. (Mansfield)
Пойдемте выпьем свежего кофе.
THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
§ 1. The Subjunctive Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb ispresented as a non-fact, as something imaginary or desired. The Subjunctive Mood is also used to express an emotional attitude of the speaker, to real facts. (A detailed treatment of this use of the Subjunctive Mood is given in § 16.)
In Modern English the Subjunctive Mood has synthetic and analytical forms.
“I wish I were ten years older,” I said. (Braine)
«Хотел бы я быть на десять лет старше», — сказал я.
I wish you would speak rationally. (E. Bronte)
Я хотел бы, чтобы вы говорили разумно.
§ 2. The synthetic forms of the Subjunctive Mood can be traced to theOld English period when the Subjunctive Mood was chiefly expressed by synthetic, forms. In Old English the Subjunctive Mood had a special set of inflections, different from those of the Indicative.
In course of time most of the inflections were lost and the difference between the forms of the Subjunctive and those of the Indicative has almost disappeared. However, in Modern English there are a few synthetic forms of the Subjunctive which have survived; they are as follows: the Present Subjunctive of all the verbs and the Past Subjunctive only of the verb to be.
The Present Subjunctive
| to be | to have, to know, to speak, etc. |
| I be he, she, it be we be you be they be | I have, know, speak he, she, it have, know, speak we have, know, speak you have, know, speak they have, know, speak |
The Past Subjunctive
| to be | to have, to know, to speak, etc. |
| I were he, she, it were we were you were they were | _ |
I. T h e P r e s e n t S u b j u n c t i v e. In the Present Subjunctive the verb to be has the form be for all the persons singular and plural, which differs from the corresponding forms of the. Indicative Mood (the Present Indefinite). In all other verbs the forms of the Present Subjunctive differ from the corresponding forms of the Indicative Mood only in the third person singular, which in the Present Subjunctive has no ending ‑s.
The Present Subjunctive denotes an action referring to the present or future. This form is seldom used in Modern English. It may be found in poetry and in elevated prose, where these forms are archaisms used with a certain stylistic aim. It is also used in scientific language and in the language of official documents, where it is a living form.
Wretched is the infant’s lot,
Born within the straw-roof’d cot;
Be he generous, wise or brave,
He must only be a slave. (Southey)
Печальна судьба ребенка,
Родившегося в хижине с соломенной крышей;
Как бы великодушен, умен и храбр он ни был,
Он все равно будет рабом.
Though all the world be false, still will I be true. (Trollope)
Даже если весь мир будет лживым, все же я буду правдива.
The Present Subjunctive also occurs in some set expressions.
Be it so!
Пусть будет так! Да будет так!
Suffice it to say that he soon came back.
Достаточно сказать, что он скоро вернулся.
God forbid!
Боже упаси! Сохрани бог!
Far be it from me to contradict you.
У меня и в мыслях не было противоречить вам.
In American English the Present Subjunctive is used not only in the above mentioned cases but also in colloquial language.
Yates called the hospital and insisted that one of the doctors come to the
phone. (Heym)
Йейтс позвонил в госпиталь и потребовал, чтобы кто-нибудь из врачей
подошел к телефону.
II. T h e P a s t S u b j u n c t i v e. In the Past Subjunctive the verb to be has the form were for all the persons singular and plural, which in the singular differs from the corresponding form of the Indicative Mood (the Past Indefinite).
N o t e. — Occasionally the form was, which coincides with the form of the
Indicative Mood, can be found in the singular.
I know I am affectionate. I wouldn’t say it, if I wasn’t certain that I am.
(Dickens)
The Past Subjunctive is widely used in Modern English and occurs not only in literature but also in colloquial language.
The term ‘Past Subjunctive’ is merely traditional as in Modern English it does not necessarily express a past action. In adverbial clauses of condition it denotes an unreal condition referring to the present or future. In other types of subordinate clauses it denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; thus it may refer to the present and to the past.
If I were ill I should like to be nursed by you. (Bennett)
Если бы я был болен, я бы хотел, чтобы за мной ухаживали вы.
I want to go everywhere, I wish I were a gipsy. (Galsworthy)
Мне хочется всюду побывать. Я хотела бы быть цыганкой.
I wished he were less remote. (DuMaurler)
Я хотела бы, чтобы он не был таким отчужденным.