§ 136. In object clauses introduced by the conjunctions if and whether after expressions of doubt and negative expressions we sometimes find the form were.

e.g. He would wonder for a moment, looking into her shining

eyes, if it were true.

He did not ask himself if she were pretty. When they were back in their seats, Maurice asked Adeline if

she were still enjoying the play.

Generally we find the Indicative Mood in such clauses; the use of the above mentioned form is characteristic of literary style; it is a survival of the old use of the Subjunctive Mood.

The Use of Forms Expressing Unreality in Appositive and Predicative Clauses

§ 137. In appositive clauses which are usually introduced by the conjunction that the use of different forms of the predicate depends on the lexical character of the noun they modify.

As a rule, the Indicative Mood is found in this kind of clauses. The rules of the sequence of tenses are to be observed in this case.

e-g. The idea that he thought himself anything but intelligent

was absurd.

He is under the impression that I am hiding something from him.

§ 138. But should + infinitive (or rarely the Subjunctive Mood) is used in appositive clauses after nouns expressing order, suggestion, wish, agreement and decision, such as agreement, ambition, decision, demand, desire, order, proposal, recommendation, request, require ment, suggestion, understanding, wish and some others.

e.g. He told me of his desire that all should be happy as long as it

involved no inconvenience to himself. He had supported them for years, but on the understanding

that they should live in Europe. I'm afraid you'll have to go to him with the suggestion that

he dismiss the case. There was no likelihood that anyone should be there.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in this case.

§ 139. The same rules hold good for predicative clauses — gen- erally the Indicative Mood is used in them. E.G. The question is how we are going to find the means to do it.

The fact was that I hardly knew what to say.

The trouble is that he didn't find him in.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are observed in this case.

§ 140. But when the subject of the principal clause is ex- pressed by one of such nouns as aim, arrangement, condition, de- cision, idea, plan, proposal, suggestion, wish and some others, should + infinitive is used in the subordinate clause. The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed, e.g. My suggestion is that as soon as the rain lets up we should

go along there and see what we can do.

His desire was that life should fall in with his own limited but deliberate plans.

The Use of Forms Expressing Unreality in Adverbial Clauses

§ 141. Forms expressing unreality are found in clauses of pur- pose, comparison, concession and in both the principal and the subordinate clause of a conditional sentence.

Adverbial Clauses of Purpose

§ 142. An adverbial modifier of purpose is usually expressed by an infinitive when the agent of that infinitive is the same as the subject in the sentence.

e.g. He said that he was going out to buy some stationary. He went up to his room to change.

The infinitive may sometimes {though not often) be preceded by in order or so as.

e.g. I had to keep drinking coffee in order to stay awake.

You'd better wait outside so as to be at hand if I want you.

So as is more often used to introduce a negative infinitive, e.g. She sat still so as not to disturb the dog.