Nova objava - 22.03.2020 20:12

THE SUBJUNCITVE

The Present subjunctive has exactly the same form as the infinitive, therefore the present subjunctive of to be is be for all persons, and the present subjunctive of all other verbs is the same as their present tense, except that s is not added for the third person singular:

The Queen lives here.

Long live the Queen!

The past subjunctive has exactly the same form as the simple past except that with the verb be the past subjunctive form is either I, he, she, it was or I, he, she, it were.

In expressions of doubt or unreality were is more usual than was.

He behaves as though he were the owner.

USE OF PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

It is used in certain exlamations to express a wish or hope, very often involving supernatural powers.

God bless you!

Heaven help us!

God save the Queen!

Curse this wind!

Come what may, we`ll stand by you!

If need be- If it is necessary

If need be, we can always bring another car.

It is sometimes used in poetry:

Shakespeare:

If this be error…

Byron:

Though the heart be still as loving…

As if/As though + past subjunctive

The past subjunctive can be used after as if/as though to indicate unreality or improbability or doubt in the present.

He behaves as if he owned the place.

He talks as though he knew where she was.

He orders me about as if I were his wife.

The verb preceding as if/as though can be put into a past tense without changing the tense of the subjunctive.

He talks/talked as though he knew where she was.

After as if /though we use a past perfect when referring to an unreal or imaginary action in the past.

He talks about Rome as though he had been there himself.

Again, the verb preceding as if/though can be put into a past tense, without changing the tense of the subjunctive.

He looks/looked as though he hadn`t had a decent meal for a month.

IT IS TIME +PAST SUBJUNCTIVE

It`s time we went.

It`s time we left.

High can be added to emphasize this idea.

It`s high time we left.