Subjunctive II denotes an action contrary to reality, i.e. an action that is unreal or very unlikely to happen [9; 11; 16; 18; 19]. It has two tense forms: Present Subjunctive II and Past Subjunctive II.
Present Subjunctive II coincides with the forms of the Past Simple Indicative. The only exception is the verb to be, which has the form were for all persons. Past Subjunctive II coincides with the Past Perfect Indicative forms [1; 2; 3].
THE USE OF SUBJUNCTIVE II
Subjunctive II expresses wish, desirability, advisability, regret, impossibility, comparison, concession, etc. It is used [1; 2; 3; 5; 9; 11]:
- In simple sentences (often after the phrases if only/oh that):
E.g. Oh, that the rain were over! (Ах, если бы кончился дождь!)
E.g. You might do it now. (Ты мог бы сделать это сейчас)
E.g. If only I were there now! (Если бы только я был сейчас там!)
E.g. If only I were younger! (Если бы я только был моложе!)
- In complex sentences:
- In subject clauses after the phrase It’s (high) time to express a sense of urgency or irritation [11]:
E.g. It's time that somebody gave you a bit of advice. (Пора бы кому-нибудь дать тебе совет)
E.g. It's high time that you went home. (Тебе уже давно пора бы пойти домой)
- In predicative clauses:
E.g. He looked as if he knew it to be true. /Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice/ [3] (У него был такой вид, точно он знал, что это правда)
E.g. I feel as if we were back seven years. /John Galsworthy/ [3] (У меня такое чувство, как будто мы вернулись на семь лет назад)
- In object clauses:
a) after the verb to wish to express a desire, regret or a sense of unhappiness concerning something which is practically unattainable or which has not occurred [11; 20]:
E.g. I wish he were here. (Как бы я хотел, чтобы он был здесь)
NOTE: wish can be used with would if the realization of the desire depends on the willingness or capability of somebody, therefore wish + would expresses criticism of other people’s behaviour or lack of ability [11; 19]:
E.g. I wish you would stop talking (Как же я хочу, чтобы ты замолчал = Когда же ты наконец замолчишь!)
This pattern can also be used in situations that do not involve people:
E.g. I wish this car would go faster. (Как же мне хочется, чтобы машина ехала побыстрее)
b) after the expression with modal force would rather smb to show preference:
E.g. “I’d rather she saw that than a long-term relationship that goes wrong,” she said. /Tony Parson Man and Boy/ (Пусть она лучше увидит это, чем долговременный роман с плохим концом)
E.g. “Chief Patmore would rather I didn’t say.” /Dean Koontz The Vision/ (Шэф Патмор не хочет, чтобы я говорил/ Для шэфа Патмора лучше, чтобы я не говорил)
- In adverbial clauses:
a) of comparison:
E.g. In her mind the mattress became marshmallowy, gradually closing around her, relentlessly engulfing her, as though it were a living creature. /Dean Koontz The Key to Midnight/ (В ее сознании матрас зыбким, постепенно ее, неудержимо заглатывая ее, как будто он был живым существом)
b) of condition:
E.g. If there were a telephone in Heaven, I would call Marla from Heaven <…> /Chuck Palahniuk Fight Club/ (Если бы в Небесах был телефон, я бы позвонил Марле с Небес)
E.g. Would you have cut a deal with him had I not been willing to pay? /John Grisham Runaway Jury/ (Ты заключил бы с ним сделку, если бы я отказался заплатить?)
c) of concession:
E.g. Even if there were the Deluge I’d rush to see her. (Даже если бы был Всемирный потоп, я побежал бы к ней)
