There are two forms of the subjunctive: be-subjunctive and were-subjunctive. The present lecture will dwell on the uses of these two subjunctive forms 一 remnants of Old English 一 expressing hypothetical and non-factual meanings.
“虚拟式”传统译作“虚拟语气”，是表达“假设意义” (Hypothetical meaning)及其他“非 事实意义”(non-factual meaning)的动词形式。必须指出，英语本身并没有这么复杂的“虚 拟语气”。“虚拟语气”作为一个特殊动词形式，在现代英语中已经濒于消失。英语残留下来 的“虚拟语气”，实际上只剩下两种：即were.型虚拟式，和be・型虚拟式，而这些也还在 变化中，were-型虚拟式现在常为陈述式was所取代。如： Even though he was / were my brother, I would cast him out. He talks as if he was / were my uncle. I wish I was / were young again.
be-型虚拟式现在仍常用于美国英语，而在英国英语中，除仍用于法律文书外，通常为should +不定式所取代。如：It' s a good thing that he recognize his faults.ft英国英语中已属古旧， 比较罕见，较常见的说法是：
It's a good thing that he should recognize his faults. 9.1 BE-subjunctive
The be-subjunctive, like the imperative, is realized by the base form of the verb. Whatever the person of the subject, the predicator invariably takes the base form. Consequently, where the clause has a plural subject, there is normally no distinction between indicative and subjunctive forms, except for the verb be. The subjunctive form of be is be for all persons. The be-subjunctive is used: In certain that-clauses
The be-subjunctive is commonly used in that-clauses to express a command, decision, suggestion, etc. these that-clauses usually occur:
1) after such verbs as decide, decree, demand, insist, move, order, prefer, propose, recommend, request, require, suggest, vote, etc.
e.g. He ordered that all the books be sent at once.
We propose that somebody neutral take the chair.
2) after such adjectives as advisable, appropriate, desirable, essential, fitting, imperative, important, impossible, necessary, obligatory, proper, etc.
e.g. It is essential that all the facts be examined first.
It is necessary that he come back without delay.
3) after such nouns as decision, decree, demand, instruction, order, requirement, resolution, etc. e.g. The board has given instructions that the agent fly to Boston.
We were faced with the demand that this tax be abolished.
Note This use of the be-subjunctive is quite common in formal style, especially in American English. This subjunctive form can sometimes be replaced by \"should + infinitive,, or to- infinitive. e.g. He ordered that the books be sent at once.
=He ordered that the books should be sent at once. =He ordered the books to be sent at once.
In certain adverbial clauses
The be-subjunctive is also used in adverbial clauses introduced by if, though, whatever, so long as, whether, lest, etc.
e.g. If the rumour be true, everything is possible.
Quietly we sat on the river bank lest the fish swim away. Whatever be his defense, we cannot tolerate his disloyalty.
This use of the be-subjunctive is limited to formal style, while in informal style the indicative mood or \"should / may + infinitive,, are used instead. c.f. If the rumour is true, everything is possible.
He hid himself in the bush lest he should be seen.
Whatever his defense may be, we can't tolerate his disloyalty. In certain formulaic expressions
The be-subjunctive is also used in some formulaic expressions to express a wish, prayer, curse, etc. the formulaic use of the be-subjunctive tends to be formal and old-fashioned in style. e.g. Long live the people's Republic of China!
God bless you! So be it.
Far be it from me to spoil the fun. 9.2 WERE-subj uncti ve
The were-subjunctive has only one form were, which applies to subjects of all persons, but which formally contrasts with the indicative form was only when it is used with first and third person singular subjects.
The were-subjunctive is hypothetical or unreal in meaning and is used: In certain adverbial clauses The were-subjunctive is commonly used in adverbial clauses introduced by if, if only, as if, as though, though, etc to denote an unreal condition or concession. e.g. If I were you, I should wait till next wee,.
If only I were not so nervous.
He behaves as though he were better than us.
Though the whole world were against me, I would do what I consider as right. In certain nominal clauses
The were-subjunctive is also used in nominal clauses after verbs like wish, would rather, suppose, imagine etc to denote a hypothetical situation. e.g. I wish it were spring all the year round.
I'd rather I were not at the site of the accident. Suppose the earth were flat.
It must be noted that in present-day English, the were-subjunctive with first and third person subjects is often replaced by the indicative was in less formal style. c.f. I wish it was spring all the year round.
rd rather I wasn't at the site of the accident.
The were-subjunctive is obligatory, however, in the set expressions \"as it were\" (=so to speak) and \"if I were you\" , as well as in non-introduced conditional clauses with inverted word order.
e.g. He is my best friend, my second self, as it were.
Were I to do it, I should rely on you.
9.3 Some few notes on ways of expressing hypothetical meanings
Modern English has a number of devices for expressing hypothetical meanings. In addition to the be-subjunctive and the were-subjunctive, we can use past tense forms of verbs and past tense modals for the same purpose.
Use of past tense forms of verbs
The past tense forms of verbs are usually used to express hypothesis in the following contexts. 1) it is time (that)
It is time (that) we left this place.
It is high time (that) you made up your mind. 2) I would rather(that) you / he...:
I'm sure he is keeping something back. Td rather he told me the truth..
They offered me this expensive wine, but frankly I'd rather they had offered me some beer. 3) If only....:
If only I knew her address .
If only she had listened to my advice. 4) ... as if / as though...:
He behaves as if he owned this place.
The woman talked eloquently about the accident as though she had witnessed the whole thing. They are staring at me as if I was / were crazy. 5) I wish (that)...:
I wish the sun was shining at this moment. I wish I hadn't eaten so much last night.
Use of past tense modals
The past tense modals are commonly used to express hypothesis in the following context. 1) in conditionals:
If I were you I would not miss this opportunity. If he be fond guilty he would be sent to prison.
If she had been invited, she would have attended the meeting. If they had caught the early train, they would have been here by now. If you should change your mind, do let me know.
If he should refuse to appear in court, he might be held guilty. 2) In implied conditionals:
But for his help, I couldn't have achieved anything. Anyone who should do that would be laughed at. In different circumstances, I might have agreed.
This same thing happening in wartime would amount to disaster. 3) In other contexts:
That she should forget me so quickly was rather a shock. That I should see a college student arrested for stealing !
Oh that I could see him again ! = I wish that I could see him again. Would that she could see her son now != If only she could see her son now ! Would that the fold might never come again ! To think that he would marry such a nasty woman ! To think that he should have deserted his wife and children !
Who would have thought that things should come to such a tragic end ?
Who would have thought that the man living next door should be a hidden terrorist? The door was pushed open; who should come in but the woman they were talking about. He stepped into a cave and what should he see but a tigress with her baby tigers. 9.4 Topics for discussion
1. Though it is late, I will do another piece of work..禾口 Though it be late, I will do another piece of work.有何不同？
解答：在第一句话里though作“虽然”解，陈述的是一个事实，含意为时间确实晚了。而 第二句话中though的用法不同，作“即使”解，引导的是一个虚拟让步状语从句，含意为 时间未必晚了。仅用正式文体中，非正式文体中从句谓语要求通常用\"should+ V原或V原”。 若去掉though,句子须倒装，并将be移至句首。所以第二句还可改为：Be it late, I will do another piece of work. 再如:
He will never do such a thing though he (should) be forced to.
Be he (Though he be) too weak to walk much, I will advise him to walk a little every day. Though it be ever so late (Be it ever so late), I must do another experiment.
2. 教材 283 页有例句 Though the whole world were against me, I would do what I consider as right.这里
were型虚拟式也是表示让步,那可不可以用be呢？而If he be found guilty, John shall have the right of
appeal.和 If the rumor be true, everything is possible.中的 be 可不可以换成 were 呢？ 解答：第一句之所以用were,主要因为主句用了 would,说明是非真实情况，即虚拟式。用
be则无法与would搭配。根据以上分析，第二句和第三句中的be不能换成were。 3. Compare: were to do, should do, V 过去式
if-wereto主要用于正式文体，在科技英语里极为常见；表示将来发生某事的可能性极小； 也常用来表示建议，表达委婉、客气的语气。 e.g. What would you do if war were to break out?
If you were to move your chair a bit to the right, we could all sit down.
If we were to travel by space rocket to the moon we would find it quite a different place from our own planet・一the earth.
should do表达将来发生某事的可能性比前者大。 e.g. If I should do it, I would do it in a different way.
We wouldn't lose courage even if we should fail again.
V过去式表达将来发生某事的可能性最大。同时也可以用来指现在时间。 e.g. If she tried harder next time, she would pass the examination. c.f. If he found a patient listener, he would pour out his troubles. if条件句中的虚拟语气形式
假设类型 条件从句谓语动词形式
与现在事实相反
动词过去时（be用were）
主句谓语动词形式
should (first person), would (second, third person), could (might)+动词原形(在美国英语中， 主句所有人称都用would)
与过去事实相反
had+过去分词
should (first person), would (second, third person), could (might )+have +过去分词(在美国英 语中，主句谓语动词常用would have done)
与将来事实相反
动词过去时，should +动词原
形，were to +动词原形
should (first person), would (second, third person), could (might)+动词原形
Key points: （一） （二
非真实条件句中的虚拟语气 名词性从句中的虚拟语气 其他句型中的虚拟语气
因篇幅问题不能全部显示，请点此查看更多更全内容