20)The use of forms expressing unreality in adverbial clauses of purpose, comparison, concession, the Use of forms in a special type of exclamatory sentences.

Adverbial modifier of purpose:

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.

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.

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

A subordinate clause of purpose is found when the subject of this clause is not the same as the subject of the principal clause.

Clauses of purpose are introduced by the conjunction so that (sometimes that or in order that, both of which are characteristic of literary style, and so, which is colloquial). The predicate in these clauses is expressed by may or can + infinitive and the rules of the sequence of tenses are to be observed in this case.

e.g. As you go, leave the door open so that the light from the lamp may show you some of the way down. She dressed quickly for dinner so that she might see him the sooner. You'll have to come into the hospital so that we can keep you under observation. He slid out of bed, felt his way over to the door of the room,

and opened it a little so that he could hear what the women were saying. If the verb in the subordinate clause is in the negative form, should + infinitive is preferred.

e-g. I stood up, my back turned so that he should not see my face.

In literary style we sometimes find clauses of purpose introduced by the conjunction lest. l In this case should + infinitive (rarely the Subjunctive Mood) is used in the subordinate clause. As the conjunction lest is negative in meaning, the verb is in the affirmative form, e.g. Lest he freeze, he wore a ragged sweater over the ensemble. The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed here.

Sometimes, though not often, the Indicative Mood (the Future Indefinite) is used in adverbial clauses of purpose instead of modal phrases.

e.g. I, too, want to live in London so that the children will have someone to turn to in case anything should happen to them.

Adverbial Clauses of Comparison

In clauses of comparison introduced by the conjunctions as if or as though we find the form of the Past Indefinite including the form were for all the persons or the Past Perfect. The form of the Past Indefinite (or Continuous) shows that the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause.

e.g. He asked me the question as if the answer were really important to him.

He looks as though he had plenty of determination.

Note. In contemporary English the form were is sometimes replaced by was in

the 1st and 3d persons singular, e.g. He behaves as if he was the boss here.

This conjunction should not be confused with the homonymous conjunction lest which is used to introduce object clauses after expressions of fear. The latter is not negative in meaning.

The form of the Past Perfect (Continuous) shows that the action of the subordinate clause precedes the action of the principal clause. e.g. Bosinney gazed at him as though he had not heard.

If the action of the subordinate clause follows the action of the principal clause, would + infinitive is used. e.g. She sank back on her chair and leaning her head on her hands began to weep as though her heart would break.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed in such clauses.

Note 1. Compare complex sentences with a clause of comparison in Russian and in English. She looked at me as if she did not recognize me.

Note 2. Clauses introduced by as if and as though are treated as predicative

clauses when they follow the verbs to look, to sound, to feel.

e.g. At first he sounded as though he were trying to avoid a scene.

She was so ill that for days it looked as if she would die.

Complex Sentences with Adverbial Clauses of Concession

Complex sentences with a clause of concession introduced by the conjunction even if or even though are built up on the same pattern as sentences of unreal condition — the form of the Past Indefinite or the Past Perfect is used in the subordinate clause and the Conditional Mood, Present or Past, in the principal clause.

e.g. But even if you were right, I should be prepared for any contingency.

Note. In complex sentences with a clause of concession introduced by though, although, whoever, whichever, whatever, whenever, however, wherever, no matter how the Indicative Mood is used in both clauses. e.g.. And when we settle down, wherever it is, you'll have a garden, Chris. In literary style may {might) + infinitive is occasionally used in clauses of concession to lay stress on the meaning of supposition. e.g. Whatever his invitation may mean, I'm going to accept it.

The Use of Forms Expressing Unreality in a Special Type of Exclamatory Sentences

The form of the Past Indefinite including the form were is used in the following type of exclamatory sentences to express a wish which cannot be fulfilled. e.g. Oh, if only Daddy were home!

In the above examples reference is made to the present. With reference to the past the form of the Past Perfect is used, e.g. Oh, if only he had given me a chance!

When the sentence refers to the future we find would + infinitive or could + infinitive,

e.g. If it would only stop raining for a single day!

Sentences of this kind are very emphatic and restricted to spoken English.