The adjective

1. “The Swan Lake” is the best ballet we have seen.

‘The best’ is the superlative degree of the adjective ‘good’. The superlative degree is formed in a suppletive way.

2. My brother is much younger than myself

‘Much younger’ is the comparative degree of the adjective ‘young’. The comparative degree is formed synthetically, by adding the suffix – er. The adjective is premodified by the intensifier ‘much’.

3. The film appeared to be more interesting than we expected.

‘More interesting’ is the comparative degree of the adjective ‘interesting’. The comparative degree is formed analytically, by adding the morpheme ‘more’.

4. The old receive a pension.

‘The old’ is a partially substantivized adjective denoting a group of people.

5. The beautiful is pleasant to an eye.

‘The beautiful’ is a partially substantivized adjective denoting an abstract notion.

6. The trees were turning yellows and reds.

‘Yellows and reds’ is a wholly substantivized adjective denoting shades of colours.

Oblique moods

1. It was as if she were trying to tell him something.

Were trying is Subjunctive II in its non-perfect form. It is used in the predicative clause of a complex sentence.

2. Oh, that the storm were over!

Were is Subjunctive II in its non-perfect form. It is used in a simple exclamatory sentence beginning with ‘Oh, that…’.

3. You had better keep out of sight until it’s all over.

Had better is Subjunctive II in its non-perfect form. It is used in a simple sentence with a modal expression denoting advice.

4. I wish I hadn’t got into this mess.

Hadn’t got is Subjunctive II in its perfect form. It is used in the object clause of a complex sentence after the verb ‘to wish’ in the main clause.

5. He speaks as if he had never seen me before.

Had never seen is Subjunctive II in its perfect form. It is used in the adverbial clause of comparison of a complex sentence.

6. It is time I made up my mind.

Made up is Subjunctive II. It is used in the attributive clause of a complex sentence after the expression ‘It’s time…’ in the main clause.

7. I would never forgive myself if I profited by his generosity.

Would never forgive is the Conditional Mood in its non-perfect form. It is used in the main clause of a complex sentence. Profited is Subjunctive II in its non-perfect form. It is used in the adverbial clause of unreal condition. Both the Conditional Mood and Subjunctive II refer the action to the future.

8. Confound your ideas!

Confound is Subjunctive I. It is used in a simple sentence to denote a wish.

9. He suggested that I should come for her.

Should come is the Suppositional Mood in its non-perfect form. It is used in the object clause of a complex sentence after the verb ‘to suggest’ in the main clause.

10. It is necessary that all should work hard.

Should work is the Suppositional Mood in its non-perfect form. It is used in the subject clause of a complex sentence

11. Bertha dared to say nothing lest he should hear tears in her voice.

Should hear is the Suppositional Mood in its non-perfect form. It is used in the adverbial clause of purpose of a complex sentence.