OBLIQUE MOODS

Types of conditional sentences

1. zero conditional – real action in the present or past
What is always true: present + present
If it rains, we don’t go outside.
If it is snowing, we don’t drive.
What was always true: past + past
If it rained, we didn’t go outside.
If it was snowing, we stayed at home.
2. 1st conditional – real action in the future
Present + future
If it rains, we won’t go outside.
3. 2nd conditional – unreal action in the present or future
Past Simple+ would + bare infinitive
If I knew the answer, I would tell you.
The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences, though
was is used in everyday speech.
Modal verbs are possible instead of would.
If you came earlier, we could discuss it together.
4. 3rd conditional – unreal action in the past
Past perfect + would have+V3
If it had rained yesterday, we wouldn’t have gone outside.
If you hadn’t reminded me, I might have forgotten.

Variations
1. If only – если бы только…. + Past Simple, Past Perfect
If only I had time!
If only he had told me before!
2. Oh, that – ах, если бы……+ Past Simple, Past Perfect
Oh, that anybody could understand me!
3. But for – если бы не….. would + bare infinitive/perfect infinitive (have+V3)
But for the wallpaper, the room would look nice.
But for the headache, I would have come yesterday.

Structures with WISH

1. To express regret, disappointment, sadness, dissatisfaction (для выражения
разочарования, грусти, когда что-то желаемое не получается) we use:
for present: I wish I knew what to do about the problem.
for past: I wish I had studied better at school.
2. To express regret about absence of possibility to do smth (сожаление о том,
что не могу или не смог сделать) we use:
for present: I am sorry I have to go. I wish I could stay.
for past: I hear the party was great. I wish I could have gone.
3. To express annoyance about smth we would like to be different, but we do not
expect it to be different (чтобы пожаловаться на ситуацию, выразить свое
нетерпение, раздражение, когда мы хотим, чтобы все изменилось к лучшему,
но все остается в прежнем виде) we use:
I wish smb would
I wish it would stop raining.
I wish you would stop smoking.

OTHER STRUCTURES

As if / as though – как будто бы

He talks as if he was rich. (But he is not.)
They behave as if they had known each other for ages.
!!! We do not use Past Perfect to talk about past unreal comparison:
He talked as if he was rich.
!!! Present tenses are possible after as if / as though for real comparison:
She looks as if she is rich. (Perhaps she is rich.)

It’s high time - самое время, давно пора

It is high time smb did smth

was doing smth
It’s about time smth happened

It’s time

It’s high time we finished our work. – Нам давно пора уже закончить работу.

THE SUPPOSITIONAL MOOD

1.
suggest
insist
demand
I advise (that Robert should start revising.
)
beg
propose
recommend
order
require

In sentences like this we use should + bare infinitive (the suppositional mood)
!!! In formal context, the bare infinitive is used (subjunctive I):
They suggest that he leave.
2.
anxious
surprised
be concerned that she should object to the proposal.
disappointed
upset
amazed

3.
 important
crucial
vital
It is / strange that she should give up smoking.
was odd
(un)fair
essential
(in)appropriate
(un)necessary

!!! Subjunctive I is possible in sentences like this:

It is vital that she come today.
!!! When we talk about our reaction to something happened previously we use
should + perfect infinitive.
It is strange that she should have failed the exam.