Subjunctive I and the Suppositional Mood.
Their forms and meanings. Their usage in
subject clauses (it’s necessary);
after verbs and nouns denoting suggestion, demand, order;
clauses of fear, purpose.
The use of the Subjunctive I in some set-expressions.
Subjunctive I (old Subjunctive) coincides in form with the infinitive without the particle to. It has no tense distinctions – the same form may refer to the present, past and future.
to go |
to be |
to have |
I go He (she, it) go We go You go They go |
I be He (she, it) be We be You be They be |
I have He (she, it) have We have You have They have |
In the Passive Voice Subjunctive I has the form be + Past Particle I(he, she it we, you, they) be examined.
It is necessary that he go there at once.
He demands (demanded, will demand) that we be attentive.
The Suppositional Mood is formed by means of the auxiliary verb should and the infinitive of the main verb without the particle to.
The Suppositional Mood has two tenses: the present and the past.
The Present Suppositional is formed by means of the auxiliary verb should and the Indefinite Infinitive of the main verb.
I (he, she, it, we, you, they) should work.
Both the Suppositional Mood & Subjunctive I are used to represent an action not as a real fact but as something necessary, important, ordered, suggested, etc. and not contrary to reality. But the Suppositional Mood is much more widely used than Subjunctive I in British English where Subjunctive I is used only in official documents, in scientific and technical texts and in poetry. In American English Subjunctive I is used in literary language in general.
The Suppositional Mood and Subjunctive I are used:
in subordinate clauses after the expressions it is necessary, it is important, it is ordered, it is natural, it is cruel, it is funny.
It is sad you should have heard of it on the day of your wedding.
More important was it that he should care for her enough.
It was extremely important that he remain at school.
in object and appositive clauses after verbs denoting order, request, suggestion, etc. (to order, to suggest, to propose, to demand, to request, to advise, to recommend, etc.)
Te order that we should come surprised me.
His suggestion that we stop and have a look round the castle was rather sudden.
He only demanded that the man should leave the country at once.
Toward the evening he looked so badly that she suggested that he go to bed.
In adverbial clauses of purpose after the conjunction lest (чтобы не)
(Suppositional Mood, seldom Subjunctive I)
The girl whispered these words lest somebody should overhear her.
Mary dreaded lest he should come in.
Suppositional Mood – in conditional clauses if the fulfillment of the condition is unlikely (referring to the future).
If you should meet her somewhere, you might travel with her.
in exclamatory complex sentences
How wonderful that she should have such a feeling for you!
in questions expressing astonishment or indignation
Why should you and I talk about it? How should I know? Why should you suspect me? Why accuse everybody?
if the question is negative Subjunctive I is used.
Why not to go there at once?
Why not try it again?
The use of Subjunctive I in set-expressions.
Three forms remained as survivals of old usage and they are used as wholes, in which no element of structure can be omitted or replaced
of religious origin
(God) bless you!
God save the king!
Heaven forbid!
forms used in slogans
Long life the Army!
forms used in oaths, curses and imprecations
Confound your ideas!
Far be it from me to spoil the fun!
Far be it from me to argue with you!