40 174 Subjunctives and the ‘unreal’ past After the earhquake, the government insisted that each new building have an earthquake-resistant steel and concrete frame. Subjunctives ‘The subjunctive form is the same as the infinitive (without fo). It does not show any marking for tense and can be used to refer to events in the past, present or futur The judge insisted (that) Mr Grant give evidence despite his relationship to the accused. ‘We use it most often in that clauses after certain verbs (e.g. advise, ask, demand, insist, propose, recommend, require, request, suggest), and after adjectives (e.g. advisable, anxious, desirable, eager, essential, important, necessary, preferable, urgent, vital, willing), to express the idea that something is necessary or important: In future cases it will be vital that each party give full disclosure prior to trial. We can use passive and negative forms of the subjunctive: Members of the committee suggested England be excluded from future tournaments. Regulations require that officers not enter the crime scene without protective clothing. ‘We use subjunctives « in reported speech: She insisted that she pay her own way. + in very formal language (e.g. legal documents): We require that all receipts be submitted to the committee for approval. + in poetry: I know not whether laws be right or whether laws be wrong. (Oscar Wilde) As the subjunctive is seen as rather formal or literary (it is less formal and more common in American English), British English speakers often prefer alternative forms: subjunctive 2 It essential that every applicant complete the form in triplicate. should + infinitive Its essential that every applicant should complete the form in triplicate. present simple Itis essential that every applicant completes the form in triplicate. for + subject + to + infinitive It is essential for every applicant to complete the form in triplicate. ‘There are some fixed expressions which use subjunctive forms: If he doesn’t want to see us, then so be it. (= then let it happen) I'll take it all the way to the Supreme Court if need be. (= if this is necessary) Long live the republic! The ‘unreal’ past After a number of expressions such as if only, its time, what if, assuming, say, suppose/supposing, would rather/sooner, as ifithough and I wish we use past tenses (active and passive) to describe things in the present, past or future which are imagined. We sometimes refer to this use of past tenses as the ‘unreal’ past. ‘We can use the past simple or the past continuous after these expressions to talk about the imaginary present and future: PRESENT It’s time they were forced to clear up the mess. (They aren’t being forced to clear up at the moment.) These kids act as if they owned the place. (They don’t own it.) Future I wish I was coming with you tomorrow. (Iam not coming with you.) We use the past perfect to refer to something unreal in the past: Iwish I’d never started this course. (I have started it.)Many speakers prefer to use were for all persons when talking about the imagined present or future, especially in more formal situations and in American English. This form is sometimes called the past subjunctive and is also used in second conditional sentences: If were you, I'd think twice before refusing that offer. (> Unit 38.2) If only he were a little more convincing on the economic issues. In the above examples we can also use was but this is more i what if, suppose + past tense > Unit 82.1 It's (about) time/high time (that) We use it’s (about) time + past tense to say that something should be happening and isn’: It’s time we left. (We aren't leaving and we should be.) It’s about time you paid a visit to your grandparents. (You should visit them.) It’s high time is slightly more emphatic: It's high time that the voice of the people was heard in this House. (Their voice isn’t being heard and it should be.) We cannot use a negative after it’s (high/about) time: X Hetimewedidetstay. / It’s time we left. We can also use it’s time for + object + to + infinitive: We'd better open the gates now. It’s time for the guests to arrive. If we are referring to ourselves or the person we are speaking to we can also use it’s time + to + infinitive It’s time to leave. I’m affraid it’s time to put your books away now, children. would rather and would sooner We use would rather/sooner with the past simple to describe preferences: I'd sooner you gave me a cash refund. A credit note’s no use to me. (= I would prefer a refund. / I wish you would give me a refund.) They are often used as a polite way to refuse permission, or make suggestions: I'd rather you didn’t use the best china. (= Please don’t use the best china.) I'm not keen on the idea of staying in. I'd sooner we went out bowling or something. ( Let’s go bowling.) If the person expressing a preference and the subject of the preference are the same, we use an infinitive (without fo) instead of the past tense. Compare: We'd sooner you spent your bonus on something useful. (past tense: speaker and subject are not the same) I'd rather spend it on something frivolous. (infinitive: speaker and subject are the same) would prefer > Unit 36.6 as if and as though We use a past tense after as if or as though to say that how something appears now does not match with reality: He talks to the children as though they were imbeciles. (We know they aren't imbeciles.) They are acting as if nothing had happened. (We know something has happened.) But we use a present tense (including the present perfect) after as if or as though when we don’t know if the appearance reflects reality or not. Compare: You talk about her as if you know her. (present tense: Pethaps you know her.) You talk about that film star as if you knew her! (past tense: I'm sure you don’t know her.) We can use these expressions to be critical, ironic or sarcastic: It isn't as if he’s in any position to pass judgement! (= He probably isn't in a position to do this.) 175O suswunicrives ano THE UNREAL PAST Practice 1 In four of the following extracts subjunctive forms would be appropriate for the situation. Find these four and rewrite them, using a subjunctive. You may need to use passive forms. 12) and then, an you Imagine, the bose insisted ‘hat | took little James to lunch, | mea Imy job to look after the Clause 25.6 of the Treatment of Offenders Act suggests that each offender receives a monthly Visit from a probation officer. We hope the PRESIDENT will have a long life! @ ‘The constitution requires that the vice 7 {am suggests F In tonight’ hilarious episode Sam ugg president assumes immediate control of the ¢ that Trudy visits the doctor, with predictably Sal nuclear detonation codes in the case of the « sudden death of the incumbent president. 2. Rewrite these sentences using a suitable phrase from the box, as in the example. Use each phrase once only. Use subjunctive forms if appropriate. Listen and check. asif she as though I'd rather #eseener it is essential that its about time you it's time it was proposed that we'd rather 0 Taking the later flight would be preferable for me. 1'd.seaner take, the later flight. You look awful. Have you been unwell? 2. If we had the choice, I think we'd prefer to sit near the front. 3 To comply with the regulations each new client must provide proof of identity. 4 We really ought to pay the bill now. 5. Please don’t wipe your feet on the carpets. 6 She isn’t a member of the club, but she acts like someone who is. 7 You should give your parents a call - they must be getting worried by now. 8 The company suggested giving a ten percent pay rise to all members of the sales team, 1763 ‘Complete the email with suitable forms of the words in brackets. Listen and check. Dear Mrs Grenfell, {1am writing to you in your position as secretary of Herriott Mansions Residents’ Association in connection with the problem of residents leaving rubbish bags and bicycles in the common entrance hallway My wife and | have yet again been having a lot of trouble with Steve and David Brown, the tenants of flat 16 on the first floor, and we feel itis high time this persistent source of dispute (1)... $ (finally resolve. These tenants own two bicycles which they insist on leaving in the entrance corridor. They are also in the habit of leaving rubbish bags inside the front door in the evenings. No doubt you are aware that the leases of all the flats in our building require that the entrance (2) ‘keep clear) of obstruction at ll times, The local fre oficer has pointed out to me thet under the building regulations the common entrance corridors to flats must be treated asif they ®.. re . (be) exits of a public building, and are therefore subject to the same restrictions as those in force in theatres, cinemas, etc. In addition, we feel the rubbish bags present a health hazard and we are anxious that this nuisance @)... etseaeaseee (SHOP) immediately. I's not as though the hallway ) .. (be) particularly wide ~ in fact itis quite narrow and can be very easily blocked. Imagine the situation in a fire ~ we right al be trapped in our flats. ‘Apparently last month you told the Browns that they could keep their bicycles there for a temporary period. Well | certainly wish you (6). (not/agree) to that, because they continually use this as an excuse when we ask them to remove the bikes. | have pointed out to them that there is space to store bicycles in the back yard, although | would sooner they (7) (keep) the bikes in their own flat as the presence of two mountain bikes might attract thieves. They say that there isn’t any space in their flat and I wish | (8) 2 cums (able to) offer them somewhere else. But, as you know, all the space in the bicycle shed is now allocated. Unfortunately, they still seem Unwilling to move their bikes, and their intransigence is beginning to seem deliberate. It isn’t as though we (9) (not/tel) them about this on numerous occasions. In fact it has now reached a stage where | fee! | must insist that the chairman of the residents’ association (10) (demand) they remove the bicycles forthwith. AAs far as the rubbish bags are concerned, the local council has recommended that all rubbish an i _.. (put) into sealed bins and left on the pavement the night before collection. There is therefore no reason why the Browns have to leave their rubbish inside the entrance. We would rather (12) (not/have to/refer) this matter to our solicitors but we feel that ifthe residents’ association is unable to resolve the matter, we will have no alternative. Yours sincerely, Howard Blenkinsop 77