• 5. The subjunctive mood in predicative clauses

The Subjunctive Mood is used in predicative clauses introduced by the conjunctions

as if and as though (the latter is more literary - как будто; будто) when in the principal clause we find the link verbs to be, to feel, to look, to seem, to taste, to sound, etc. The idea following as if, as though is ‘untrue’ or ‘unreal’.

Note: When the idea is real, the Indicative Mood is used.

Pattern I

1. If the action of the subordinate clause is simultaneous with that of the principal clause the Past Subjunctive of the verb to be (the form were) is used; with other verbs the same meaning is expressed by the Past Indefinite/the Past Continuous of the Indicative Mood.

• You look tired. You look as if you are tired. Ты выглядишь усталым. (You are really tired.)

• Cf. You look as if you were tired. Ты выглядишь усталым. (But you are not tired.)

• He looks as if he didn’t know what to say. У него такой вид, как будто он не знает, что сказать.

• I feel as if I were flying. У меня такое чувство, словно я летаю.

• The boy looked as if he were running a high temperature. У мальчика такой вид, будто у него высокая температура.

• It is as if I were a stranger here. Я здесь словно чужой всем.

• It looks as if you were pleased. Вы, кажется, довольны.

• It seems as if she knew the way. Она, кажется, знает дорогу.

Note: You say: She looks as if ... when you judge by a person’s appearance.

You say: It looks as if ... when you judge by the situation.

2. If the action of the subordinate clause is prior to that of the principal clause the

Past Perfect/the Past Perfect Continuous of the Indicative Mood is used.

• You look as if you had just seen a ghost. Вы выглядите так, как будто только что видели привидение.

• She felt as if she had lost something. Ей казалось / У неё было такое чувство, что она что-то потеряла.

• It is as if he had done something wrong. У него такое чувство, будто он сделал что-то дурное.

3. If the action of the subordinate clause follows that of the principal clause, the form would + Infinitive is used.

• I feel as if I would never see her again. У меня такое чувство, что я никогда не увижу его снова.

• She looks as if she would die. У неё такой вид, словно она умрёт.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed.

Note: When the idea is real, the Indicative Mood is used:

• Do you hear the music? It sounds as if they are having a party.

• You look as if you haven’t slept.

• It smells as if someone has been smoking here.

Cf.: It looks like rain (Похоже, будет дождь). It looks as if it is going to rain. It looks as though it is going to rain. It looks like it is going to rain (informal). - All these sentences have the same meaning.

Pattern 1: Here is a summary of patterns in predicative clauses.

True statement (fact)	Verb form after ‘as if/as though’
1. I don’t have wings and I can’t fly.	I’m so happy that I feel as if I had wing and could fly.
2. She didn’t take a shower with her clothes on.	When she came in from the rainstorm, she looked as if she had taken a shower with her clothes on.
3. The child won’t burst into tears.	The child is so excited that he looks as if he would burst into tears.

Pattern II (Predicative Clauses)

The Subjunctive Mood is used in predicative clauses when the subject of the principal clause is expressed by an abstract noun such as wish, suggestion, aim, idea, etc.; the predicative subordinate clause is usually introduced by the conjunction that.

We use: the form should + Infinitive (i.e. the analytical subjunctive with the mood auxiliary should for all persons)

or the Present Subjunctive (i.e. the same form as the Infinitive without the particle to).

My wish желание, пожелание idea идея; мысль; план, намерение aim цель, намерение suggestion предложение, совет proposal предложение; план desire желание, пожелание просьба, запрос order(s) приказ; команда, распоряжение; инструкция, предписание demand официальное требование, запрос arrangement(s) план(ы), меры, мероприятия, распоряжения request просьба; требование (не категоричное, вежливое) decision решение rule правило, принцип, уклад; привычка, обычай plan план, проект

is was will be

that

I should know the language better. he should help us. the conference take place. she follow my advice.

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed.

• Mary’s wish was that her mother should come and live with her. Мэри хотелось, чтобы её мама переехала к ней жить.

• One of the conditions is that I go/should go abroad. Одно из условий заключается в том, чтобы я поехал за границу.

• His arrangement with them was that they meet/should meet him at Plymouth. Он условился с ними, что они встретят его в Плимуте.

• My wish was that they stay/should stay at my place as long as possible.

• My suggestion is that we go/should go and see the results of his work.