LESSON 14: Subjunctive mood

A. Grammar
1. Định nghĩa 
“Subjunctive” - Câu giả định hay còn gọi là câu cầu khiến là loại câu đối tượng thứ nhất muốn đối
tượng thứ hai làm việc gì. Câu giả định có tính chất cầu khiến chứ không mang tính yêu cầu, ép
buộc như câu mệnh lệnh.
2. Cách sử dụng
 “Subjunctive” chủ yếu được sử dụng để nói đến những sự việc không chắc chắn sẽ
xảy ra.
Ví dụ, chúng ta sử dụng khi nói về những sự việc mà một ai đó:
+ muốn xảy ra
+ dự đoán sẽ xảy ra
+ tưởng tượng xảy ra
 Trong câu giả định, người ta dùng dạng nguyên thể không có to của các động từ sau 1
động từ chính mang tính cầu khiến. Thường có that trong câu giả định, trừ 1 số trường
hợp đặc biệt. 
Ví dụ: I suggest that you do the project.
3. Một số cấu trúc câu giả định thường gặp

3.1 Câu giả định dùng would rather

*- S would rather V than V . ( thà/ muốn làm gì hơn làm gì) = prefer V-ing to Ving
- S1 would rather S2 did smt. ( muốn ai làm gì)
Ex: I’d rather you stopped smoking.

a. Diễn tả sự việc ở hiện tại (present subjunctive):

S1 + would rather + S2 + Vo.....
Ví dụ:
My sister would rather (that) I do the housework tomorrow. 
He would rather (that) his daughter not go home late. 
b. Diễn tả sự việc đối lập với thực tế ở hiện tại
Động từ sau chủ ngữ hai sẽ chia ở quá khứ đơn, nếu sử dụng động từ to be thì chia là were ở tất cả
các ngôi.
S1 + would rather + S2 + Ved / were…
Ví dụ:
Linda would rather (that) her father worked fewer 10 hours per day as he used to.
I would rather( that )today were Sunday.
Nếu muốn thành lập thể phủ định dùng didn’t + verb hoặc were not sau chủ ngữ hai.
c. Diễn tả sự việc  trái ngược với thực tế ở quá khứ
Động từ sau chủ ngữ hai sẽ chia ở dạng quá khứ hoàn thành, ở thể phủ định sẽ có dạng hadn’t +
pII
S1 + would rather + S2 + past perfect …
Tom would rather he had finished the work yesterday. (Tom did not finish the work yesterday). 
Bill would rather that his girlfriend hadn’t gone back her promise. (His girlfriend went back her
promise). 
Chú ý: Ngữ pháp hiện đại cho phép lược bỏ that trong một số câu giả định dùng would rather
3.2.  Câu giả định dùng với các động từ trong bảng dưới đây.

advise ask command decree

demand insist move order
prefer propose recommend request
require stipulate suggest urge

– Trong câu nhất định phải có that.

– Động từ  sau chủ ngữ 2 ở dạng nguyên thể không to.
S1 + verb + that + S2 + V0 / not V
Ví dụ:
I suggest that he check the homework carefully. 
Ví dụ:
I urge him to be faster. Tôi thúc giục anh ta nhanh lên.= I urge that he be faster.
Chú ý : Trong tiếng Anh của người Anh (British English), trước động từ nguyên thể không to có
should. Nhưng trong tiếng Anh của người Mỹ (American English) người ta bỏ nó đi.
Ví dụ:
The little boy insisted that the toy be bought immediately. 
This school required that all the students should do the entrance test. 
3.3.  Câu giả định dùng với tính từ/ Vp2
Các tính từ dùng trong câu giả định gồm các tính từ trong bảng dưới đây.
advised important
mandatory
necessary obligatory
proposed
recommended required
suggested
urgent imperative

Trong công thức sau, adjective chỉ định một trong các tính từ có trong bảng trên.
It + be + adj + that + S + V0/ not V...
Ví dụ:
It is necessary that he water these trees everyday. 
It has been suggested that children play sports. 
Trong một số trường hợp có thể dùng danh từ tương ứng với các tính từ ở trên theo công thức sau.
It + be + noun that subject  [verb in single form] … (any tense)
Ví dụ:
It is a suggestion that children play sports. Có lời gợi ý rằng trẻ em nên chơi thể thao.
3.4.  Câu giả định dùng với It is time
 It is time / high time (for smb) to do smth : đã đến lúc phải làm gì. (thời gian vừa vặn,
không đưa ra giả định)
Ví dụ:
It is time for him to get to the station (just in time). Đã đến lúc anh ấy phải ra ga rồi. (vừa đúng
giờ)
  It is high/about time/ time S+ Ved : đã đến lúc làm gì (giả định thời gian đến trễ một
chút)
Chú ý: High/ about được dùng trước time để thêm vào ý nhấn mạnh.
Ví dụ:
It’s high time I came to the meeting (it is a little bit late).
3.5. Cấu trúc giả định với AS IF/ AS THOUGH
as if/ as though (như thể là cứ như là) đứng trước mệnh đề diễn một điều không có thật hoặc trái
với thực tế.
-Có thật ở HT: S + V-s/-es + as if / as though + S +V-s/-es ( ít thi vào)
-Không có thật ở hiện tại: S + V-s/-es + as if / as though + S +V2/-ed
Ví dụ:
He acts as if/ as though he knows the answers. (He really knows the answers). (Anh ta thể hiện cứ
như anh ta đã biết đáp án rồi vậy - Sự thực là anh ta có biết đáp án)
He acts as though/ as if he knew the answers. (He doesn’t know the answers, he just pretend that
he knows). (Anh ta thể hiện cứ như thể anh ta biết đáp án rồi vậy - Thực tế là anh ta chả biết gì
sất)
-Không có thật ở QK: S + V2/-ed + as if + S + had + V3/-ed
Ví dụ:
She told me about the party as if she had been there yesterday.
3.6. WISH
a. Wish trong tương lai
- S wish to V
- S+ wish(es) + S + would + V
= IF ONLY + S + would/ could + V
 
Ví dụ:
• I wish I would be an astronaut in the future.
• If only I would take the trip with you next week.
 
b. Wish ở hiện tại
 
- S + wish(es) + S + Ved / were...
= IF ONLY + S+ Ved/ were

Ví dụ:
• If wish I were rich.
• If only she were here.

c. Wish trong quá khứ

- S + wish(es) + S + had + V3/-ed
= IF ONLY + S + had Ved
Ví dụ:
• If only I had gone by taxi.
• I wish I hadn’t failed my exam last year.
B. Practice
I. Choose the best
1. It's about time you ___________ harder for the next exam.
A.work B.are working C.worked D.have worked
2. The ceiling in this room doesn't look very safe. It looks as if it ___________ down.
A.would fall B.falls C.is falling D.is going to fall
3. I wish they___________ change their minds so often!
A.shouldn't B.wouldn't C.mightn't D.couldn't
4. I wish I___________ the direction closely.
A.be followed B.will follow C.would follow D.had followed
5. I wished I___________ on another diet.
A.could live B.can live C.will live D.am living
6. Team rules require that each player ___________ responsible for memorizing one rule--and
then for teaching that rule to all of the players.
A.is B.was C.be D. were
7. To avoid unnecessary injury, the coach insisted that the players' tackling drills ______ on the
proper way to fall down.
A.focused B.focus C.were focused D. to focuse
8. the police suggested that anyone who saw the accident ____________in touch with them.
A. get B. got C. had got D. would get
9. It is essential____________
A. for everyone know what to do in case of fireB. that everyone know what to do in case of fire
C. that everyone to know what to do in case of fire D. for everyone knows what to do in case of
fire
10. Miss Hong insisted that every student____________their report by Friday.
A. finished B. finish C. finishes D. had finished
11. The teacher insists ____________ homework regularly.
A. that the student do B. that the student does
C. the student to do D. that the student is doing
12. The teacher always ____________ that the student make an outline before making an essay.
A. reports B. tells C. says D. recommends
13. To solve this problem, it is advisable ____________
A. a drastic measure to be adopted B. that to adopt a drastic measure
C. that a drastic measure be adopted D. that a drastic measure is adopted

II. Mark the correct option A, B, C or D:

1. It’s important that he  ______________ to take her medicine twice a day
A remember              B remembering C to remember          D Remembered
2. I suggest that John____________ the directions carefully before assembling the bicycle. He
doesn’t want the wheels to fall off while he is riding down a hill.
A reading                             B to read C read                        D have read
3. Mrs. Mary demanded that the heater  _________________ immediately. Her apartment was
freezing.
A repaired                             B be repaired C repair                       D repairing
4. It’s vital that the United States  ______________ on improving its public education system.
What we do now will affect our country for generations to come.
A focuses                     B focus C focusing                  D To focus
5. The monk insisted that the tourists_________________ the temple until they had removed their
shoes.
 A not entering                        B not to enter C not enter                 D entered
6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that she immediately ____ for what
she just said.
A apologize            B apologizing C to apologize            D apologized
7. Tom asked that we _________ her graduation ceremony next week.
A attended                        B to attend C attend                     D attending
8. Was it really necessary that  I ____ there watching you the entire time you were rehearsing for
the play?
A sits                      B am sitting C be sitting              D To sit
9. It is important to remember that Henry  _________very differently from you.
A think                                      B to think C thinks                           D thinking
10.    I demand that I __________ to be free now.
A. am allowed B. be allowed C. not allow D. not be allowed
III: Give the correct form.
1. I wish someone_________(give) me a job next month.
2. If only I_________(have) motr time to do this work.
3. He missed an exciting football match on T.V last night. He wishes he _________(watch) it.
4. I wish I _________ (can take) the trip to Dalat with you next week.
5. He wishes his father_________(be) here now to help him.
6. I wish she_________(come) to see me yesterday.
IV: Choose the best
1. We wish we_________a large house but we can’t afford it now.
A. have B. had C. can have D. will have
2. My friend won’t lend me his car. I wish_________.
A. he lent me his car B. he didn’t lend me his car
C. he would lend me his car D. he will lend me his car
3. My mother is not free today. I wish_________.
A. my mother is free today B. my mother won’t be busy today
C. my mother would be free today D. my mother were free today
4. I’m sorry I haven’t got any money on me. I wish_________.
A. I have got no money on meB. I have some money on me
C. I had some money on me D. I had got no money on me
5. I’m fraid our team will lose the game today. I wish_________.
A. our team won the game today. B. our team would win the game today.
C. our team didn’t lose the game today. D. out team had won the game today.
6. My friends didn’t take part in the game. I wish_________.
A. my friends took part in the game. B. my friends had taken part in the game.
C. my friends would take part in the game. D. my friends did take part in the game.
7. It wasn’t fine yesterday. I wish_________.
A. it was fine yesterday B. it would fine yesterday
C. it will fine yesterday D. it had been fine yesterday
8. I wish I _________more time now to help you with your lesson.
A. have B. had C. would have D. had had
9. I wish I _________psychology when I was a college student.
A. had studied B. would study C. studied D. study
10. I wish someone_________to help me with that work tomorrow.
 A. offerB. offered C. would offer D. had offered

V. Choose the best answer:

1. the police suggested that anyone who saw the accident ____________in touch with them.
A. get B. got C. had got D. would get
2. It is essential____________
A. for everyone know what to do in case of fire B. that everyone know what to do in case of
fire
C. that everyone to know what to do in case of fire D. for everyone knows what to do in case of
fire
3. Miss Hong insisted that every student____________their report by Friday.
A. finished B. finish C. finishes D. had finished
4. The teacher insists ____________ homework regularly.
A. that the student do B. that the student does
C. the student to do D. that the student is doing
5. The teacher always ____________ that the student make an outline before making an essay.
A. reports B. tells C. says D. recommends
6. To solve this problem, it is advisable ____________
A. a drastic measure to be adopted B. that to adopt a drastic measure
C. that a drastic measure to be adopted D. that a drastic measure is adopted
VI: Chia động từ trong ngoặc theo đúng thời.
1. He suggested that I ____________ ready by eight o'clock. (to be)
2. We request that she ___________ ____ the window. (to open)
3. They recommended that he __________ _____ to Bermuda. (to fly)
4. The request that we ___ _________ ready to leave at six is a nuisance. (to be)
5. The recommendation that she _________ ___ a holiday was carried out. (to take)
6. It is necessary that you __________ ____ able to come with us. (to be)
7. I wish it (not rain) ………………………..heavily last Sunday.
8. It is important that he __________ _____ everything he can. (to learn)
9. The demand that she __________ ______ the report has been carried out. (to complete)
10. I wish I (know) ………………………….something about computers.
11. I wish the traffic (not make) …………………………so much noise everyday.
12. It’s high time the children (prepare) ………………………..their lesson. They are watching
TV now.
13. If only it (be) ……………………….. warm and sunny today. I’m fed up with snow and
cold.
14. Everybody was exhausted. It looked as if they (work) ……………………….. hard.
15. I’d rather my teacher (give) ……………………….. fewer compositions tonight.
16. My neighbors always treat us as if we (be) ………………………..their servants.
17. Nick is quite ready for the exam. It looks as if he (prepare) ………………………..
everything.
VII. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form
1. I’d rather you ______(not/drive) so fast, Pat
2. Sue went to France this year, but she says she would rather ______ (go) to Spain.
3. It’s a shame you missed the party; I would rather you ______ (be) there.
4. John had better ______(not/speak) to me like that again.
 5. He says he’d rather ______ (cook) his own food than eat in restaurants.
6. I’d rather you ______ (not/mention) this to anyone until next week.
7. Tim’s mother would rather he ______ (work) closer to home than he does.
8. Greg says he would rather ______( not/leave) things as they are.
9. She would prefer to meet you personally rather than ______ (talk) to you over the phone.
10. Sean prefers playing football to ______ (watch) it.
11. Would you rather ______ (write) in ink or in pencil?
12. Sheila prefers ______ (get up) early in the morning rather than ______ (oversleep)
13. Would he prefer ______ (drive) to work tomorrow rather than cycle?
14. I would rather ______(speak) directly to the manager than ______(deal) with his rude
secretary as I did.
15. My father prefers to have a beard rather than ______(have) a shave every day.
16. Tom prefers ______ (ski) to ______(skate).
VIII : choose the best answer :
1. It’s important that he  ______________ to take her medicine twice a day
A remember              B remembering C to remember          D Remembered
2. I suggest that John____________ the directions carefully before assembling the bicycle. He
doesn’t want the wheels to fall off while he is riding down a hill.
A Reading                             B To read C Read                        D Have read
3. Mrs. Mary demanded that the heater  _________________ immediately. Her apartment was
freezing.
A repaired                             B be repaired C repair                                    D repairing
4. It’s vital that the United States  ______________ on improving its public education system.
What we do now will affect our country for generations to come.
A focuses                     B focus C focusing                             D To focus
5. The monk insisted that the tourists_________________ the temple until they had removed their
shoes.
A not entering                            B not to enterC not enter                       D entered
6. I am not going to sit here and let her insult me. I demand that she immediately ______ for what
she just said.
A apologize            B apologizing C to apologize                  D apologized
7. Tom asked that we _________ her graduation ceremony next week.
A attended                        B to attend C attend                                   D attending
8. Was it really necessary that  I _______ there watching you the entire time you were rehearsing
for the play? It was really boring watching you repeat the scenes over and over again.
A sits                      B am sitting C be sitting             D To sit
9. It is important to remember that Henry  ___________very differently from you. She may not
agree to the changes you have made in the organization of the company
A think                                      B to think C thinks                           D thinking
10. It’s a little difficult to find the restaurant. I propose that we all ___   together so that nobody
gets lost along the way. A is driving             B drive C to drive               D driven

IX: Rewrite the sentences without changing the meaning :

He appears to be running away from your fierce dog.–> It
looks……………………………………………………………………………..
2. I would love to be rich and famous.–> If only………………………….
 ………………………………………..………………………………………..
3. I’d love to be in a secluded beach in Mexico.–> I
wish………………………………………………………………………………..
4. I really think you ought to acquire a few manners.–> It’s high
time……………………………………………………………………………..
5. I’m really sorry I didn’t invite her to the party.–> I really wish
I………………………………..………………………………………..
6. Would you mind not smoking here?–> I’d rather…………………………..
………………………………………..………………………………………..
7. Please don’t say things like that.–> I
wish………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………..
X. Rewrite the sentences using subjunctive
1. Why don’t you ask her yourself ?
- My friend suggests that __________________________________________
2. She urged her husband to apply for the post in the government.
- She urged that her husband __________________________________________
3. They insisted on my coming early.
- They insisted that _________________________________________________
4. An accountant needs to master computer science.
- It is necessary that _________________________________________________
5. Everyone find it important for us to do something save the environment.
- It is important that we ______________________________________________
6. The headmaster insists on every schoolgirl’s wearing ao dai every Monday.
- The headmaster insists that __________________________________________
7. They advise her to eat less meat and fat to keep herself healthy.
- It is advisable that she ____________________________________________
8. Naturally, a child had better respect his parents.
- It is natural that ___________________________________________________
9. He needs to come to the interview early.
- It is necessary that ________________________________________________
10. She must find it important to take two medicines every day.
- It is important that _________________________________________________