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Panteleymonova L.I.
Moods in English
МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ, МОЛОДІ ТА СПОРТУ УКРАЇНИ
ДЕРЖАВНИЙ ВИЩИЙ НАВЧАЛЬНИЙ ЗАКЛАД
«УЖГОРОДСЬКИЙ НАЦІОНАЛЬНИЙ УНІВЕРСИТЕТ»
ФАКУЛЬТЕТ ІНОЗЕМНОЇ ФІЛОЛОГІЇ
КАФЕДРА АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ ФІЛОЛОГІЇ
Panteleymonova L.I.
Moods in English
Ужгород – 2015
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Пантелеймонова Л.І. Способи дієслова в англійській мові:
Навчальний посібник для студентів ІІІ курсу денної форми навчання і
ІІІ курсу заочної форми навчання, спеціальності 6.02030302 «Англійська
мова та література» (англ. мовою)/ Леся Іванівна Пантелеймонова. –
Ужгород: УжНУ, 2015.
Підготувала:
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ЗМІСТ
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The Category of Mood in Modern English
Mood is a grammatical category which indicates the attitude of the speaker towards
the action expressed by the verb from the point of view of its reality.
In Modern English we distinguish three moods:
(1) The Indicative Mood
(2) The Imperative Mood
(3) The Oblique Moods
The Indicative Mood shows that the action or state expressed by the verb is
presented as a fact:
We went home early in the evening.
The Indicative Mood is also used to express a real condition, i.e. a condition the
realization of which is considered possible:
If it rains, I shall stay at home.
The Oblique Moods show the fulfillment of the action as something desirable,
doubtful, depending on certain conditions, etc., but not as a matter of fact. The following
types of the Oblique Moods are distinguished:
- Subjunctive I
- Subjunctive II
- the Suppositional
- the Conditional
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The Imperative Mood
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1st person singular imperative Let me is used to “give instructions to oneself”; the
expressions Let me see and Let me think are very common, e.g. (1)“What time do you want
to have your breakfast?” “Let me think. Yes, I reckon eight o’clock will be early enough.”
(2)Now what’s the best way to get to Manchester? Let me see – suppose I take the M6 from
Birmingham… (3)Let me get my coat and I’ll be with you. In a very informal style, let’s is
often used to mean let me, e.g. Let’s see. Suppose I take the M6 from Birmingham…
3rd person imperative Let can also introduce a suggestion or order for someone or something
else, not the speaker or hearer. This is common in formal and ceremonial language, but
informal uses are also possible, e.g. “Your boyfriend’s going out with another girl.” “Let
him. I don’t care.” Note the structure with let + there be, e.g. Let there be no doubt in your
minds about our intentions.
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Subjunctive I
Subjunctive I has no tenses, the same form being used for the present, past and future.
It is homonymous with the Bare Infinitive (Indefinite Active or Passive):
e.g. He orders that we be present.
The formal difference between Subjunctive I and the Indicative Mood has almost
disappeared in Modern English. The remaining forms in which Subjunctive I differs from
the present Indicative are:
In the verb to be: I, he, she, it, we, you, they – be;
In all other verbs where the form of the third person singular has no “s” – he
have, he speak, he go.
Subjunctive I represents an action as problematic but not as contradicting reality. It is
used to express order, request, suggestion, supposition, purpose, etc.
Subjunctive I is rather obsolete in Modern English. In British English its use is confined
to certain styles (poetry, high elevated prose, official documents). In everyday speech the
Suppositional Mood or modal phrases are used instead. Subjunctive I is commonly used
in American English.
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Subjunctive I in Simple Sentences
In simple sentences Subjunctive I is used:
To express wish (in a few isolated expressions as a survival of the old use of this mood):
e.g. Long live our country!
Be ours a happy meeting!
Success attend you!
Good luck attend you!
Subjunctive I can be replaced by a modal phrase “may + infinitive”
e.g. May our country live long!
May success attend you!
To express concession:
e.g. So be it! Be it so!
Come what will!
Happen what may!
Be this as it may!
Be it rain or snow…
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Subjunctive I can be replaced by a modal phrase “let + infinitive”:
e.g. Let it be so!
Let come what will!
To express commands and requests, but only when the subject is an indefinite pronoun
(somebody, everybody) or partitive combination (one of you):
e.g. Somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk!
Everybody leave the room!
Subjunctive I can be replaced by “let + infinitive”:
e.g. Let somebody go and fetch me a piece of chalk!
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It is disappointing that you should have been lying ill when we came to invite
you to the party.
The structure of some complex sentences demands the use of the Suppositional Mood
in subordinate clauses. In formal English Subjunctive I can be used instead of the
Suppositional mood. In less formal English we use a present tense form (but not if the rest of
the sentence is in past).
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smth
It was advisable that
will be arranged smth (should) be
done
ordered
desirable
requested
It is necessary that we (should) be kept fully informed of any developments.
2. In object clauses after the verbs suggest, propose, etc. in the principal clause in the
pattern:
suggest
propose
order smb (should) do smth
demand that
request smth (should) be done
move
insist
arrange
I suggested that I should act as escort to one of the ladies.
necessary
important
think demanded smb (should) do
smth
believe it advisible that
consider arranged smth (should) be
done
find ordered
desirable
better
We believe it important that the agreement be concluded.
4. In object clauses after expressions of fear when the object clause is introduced by the
conjunction lest:
to fear / be fearful
be afraid
to worry / dread smb (should) do smth
be uneasy lest
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be terrified smth (should) be done
tremble
I am afraid lest it should be late.
BUT:
order
request
demand
have suggestion
make proposal smb (should) do smth
express idea that
give wish
arrangement smth (should) be done
recommendation
rule
motion
He gave an order that nobody should leave the room.
6. In predicative clauses introduced by the conjunction that when the subject of the principal
clause is expressed by an abstract noun order, etc:
order
request
demand smb (should) do smth
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suggestion is
proposal was that
idea will be
wish
arrangement smth (should) be done
recommendation
rule
motion
The order was that nobody should leave the room.
Note: with the expressions «it is possible», «it is probable», «it is likely»
«may + infinitive» is used:
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It is possible (probable, likely) that he may come tomorrow.
4. In attributive clauses modifying the nouns fear, worry, anxiety, dread after the
conjunction lest:
BUT:
5. In predicative clauses introduced by the conjunction lest after the nouns fear, etc.:
fear is smb should do smth
worry was lest smth should be done
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dread will be smb should have done smth
anxiety smth should have been
done
Her only fear is lest she should be mistaken.
BUT:
SUBJUNCTIVE I IS USED:
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Subjunctive II
•Subjunctive II represents an action as contrary to reality:
e.g. I wish he were with us (my desire contradicts the actual state of things - he
is not with us).
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somebody had better do/not do smth
e.g. You had better go there at once.
3. An unreal wish in sentences beginning with Oh, that, Oh if, If, If only.
If only somebody did something
e.g. If only I knew it for sure!
4. Subjunctive II of modal verbs is often used to express that something is desirable,
advisible,
possible:
e.g. What should I do to make us happier?
Can you tell us if there's a farm where we could stay the night.
Modal verbs have no past Subjunctive II. Reference to the past is made by using the
perfect infinitive:
e.g. You really should have helped your friend.
Note: To make the sentence more emphatic «would + infinitive» is used with
reference to the future, provided the subjects are different: e.g. There was
silence between us, I wished she would go away.
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e.g. I'd rather you had told the truth.
be/not
look as if sb did smth
seem as though sb had done smth
feel
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The Conditional Mood
The Present Conditional is formed by the auxiliary verb
e.g. If I had not been so busy, I should have gone with you.
If you had come at seven o’clock, I should have been working at my
English.
The unreality of an action represented by the Conditional Mood is due to the absence
of the necessary circumstances on which the realization of the action depends.
2. The Conditional Mood is used in sentences with unreal condition (introduced by but for
sth):
But for sth I, we should do/ should have done sth
Sb would do/ would have done sth
But for the rain we should go.
3. The Conditional Mood is used in sentences with implied condition in the pattern :
to do sth would do
to have done sth would have done
To do so would result in complications. To have done so would have spoiled
his chances.
4. The Conditional Mood is used in the second clause of a compound sentence connected
by the conjunctions or or by the conjunctive adverb otherwise expressing what may be
understood as an unreal consequence, the condition of which is not expressed as such:
otherwise I, we should do/ should have done sth
or Sb would do/ would have done sth
He knew it to be nonsense or it would have frightened him. I shall have to take
my sister to the pictures. Otherwise I should stay.
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Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses of Condition
There are three main types of conditional sentences.
First conditional (or Type 1 conditional) is used to talk about something that will or will
not (probably) happen in the future. The condition is quite likely to be fulfilled:
We can use all present tenses after if, not just the simple present:
If he has finished work by 4 o’clock, he will go home.
We can use all future tenses in the main clauses, not just the future simple:
If he doesn’t hurry, the plane will have left by the time he gets to the airport.
When we use will in the main clause, we are expressing certainty or near-certainty:
If the weather clears, we’ll go for a walk. (certain, or near-certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use will, we can use another modal to say what
is possible, necessary or desirable:
If it’s fine tomorrow, we may go for a swim. (it’s possible)
If it’s fine tomorrow, we must go for a swim. (it’s necessary or desirable to do
this)
If + should, instead of if + present simple, makes the condition more doubtful or very
polite:
If I should see him, I’ll ask him to ring you. (Cf: If I see him, I’ll ask him to
ring you.)
We can use the imperative in place of an if-clause to comment, threaten, request, etc.
We follow the imperative with and in place of an if-clause in the affirmative:
If you fail to pay, they’ll cut off the electricity. – Fail to pay and they’ll cut off
the electricity.
We follow the imperative with or in place of an if-clause in the negative:
If you don’t stop borrowing money, you’ll be in trouble. – Stop borrowing
money, or you’ll be in trouble.
Second conditional (or Type 2 conditional) is used to talk about a present situation which
is impossible:
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We use If I were you and If I were in your position to give advice. We can also refer
to somebody else:
If I were in Jane’s position, I’d look for a new job.
When we use would in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as
possible:
If he knew the facts, he would tell us what to do. (certain, or near-certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use would, we can use another modal to say
what would be possible or necessary:
If he knew the facts, he might tell us what to do. (it’s possible)
If he knew the facts, he should tell us what to do. (it’s necessary)
Third conditional (or Type 3 conditional) is used to talk about something in the past that
did not happen:
If she had worked harder, she would have passed the exams.
past perfect would+perfect infinitive
If I had been trying harder, I would have succeeded.
past perfect continuous would+perfect infinitive
We often use If I had been you and If I had been in your position to describe what
we would have done in someone else’s position:
If I had been you, I would have accepted their offer.
When we use would have in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as
possible:
If he had known the facts, he would have told us what to do. (certain, or near-
certain)
If we do not feel “certain” enough to use would have, we can use another modal to
say what would have been possible:
If he had known the facts, he might have told us what to do. (it’s possible)
If he had known the facts, he could have told us what to do. (he would have
been able)
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Mixed conditionals
We do not always have to stick rigidly to the “three types of conditional sentences”. There
are occasions when we can use any tenses in if-clauses, depending on the context:
If I am as clever as you say I am, I would have been rich by now. Type 1 +
Type 3
If you knew me better, you wouldn’t have said it. Type 2 +
Type 3
If I had had your advantages, I would be better off now. Type 3 +
Type 2
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Conjunctions Introducing Conditional Clauses
You sometimes use modals in conditional clauses to express something desirable,
advisable, possible, etc. In the main clause, you can still use a present tense for events
that happen often, will for events that are quite likely in the future, would for an event
that is unlikely to happen, and would have for events that were possible but did not
happen, e.g. If they must have it today, they will have to come at five o’clock. If I
could only find time, I’d do it gladly. If you could have seen him, you would have
laughed too.
In formal English, if the first verb in a conditional clause is had, should or were, you
can put the verb at the beginning of a clause and omit if. For example, instead of
saying If he should come, I will tell him you are sick, it is possible to say Should he
come, I will tell him you are sick, e.g. Were it all true, it would still not excuse their
actions. Had I known, I would not have done it.
We can use if … not and unless in place of each other when we are saying “except
if”. Unless is “stronger” than if not and we sometimes use it in warnings, e.g. Unless
you work harder, you are not going to pass the examination. (or If you do not work
harder, you are not going to pass the examination.
We cannot use unless in place of if not when if not doesn’t mean “except if”, e.g. I’ll
be surprised if he does not win.
We often use unless (never if not) to introduce an afterthought, e.g. I couldn’t have
got to the meeting – unless, of course, I had caught an earlier train.
Besides these conjunctions you can also use as long as, so long as, even if, on (the)
condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), suppose (that), supposing (that)
assuming (that). These expressions mean “but only if”. E.g. She was prepared to
come, provided that she could bring her daughter. Providing they remained at a safe
distance, we would be all right.
In case is not the same as if. Compare these sentences: 1) We’ll buy some more food
if Brian comes. (= Perhaps Brian will come; if he comes, we’ll buy some more food;
if he doesn’t come, we won’t buy any more food.) 2) We’ll buy some more food in
case Brian comes. (= Perhaps Brian will come; we’ll buy some more food now,
whether he comes or not; then we’ll already have the food if he comes.) We can also
use in case to say why someone did something in the past, e.g. We bought some more
food in case Brian came. (= because it was possible that Brian would come)
Note: In case of is different from in case. “In case of fire” means “if there is a fire”,
e.g. In case of emergency, telephone this number. (= if there is an emergency)
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