Ways of Rendering the Forms of the Subjunctive Mood

Problems for discussion:

1. Forms of the Subjunctive mood, the general notion

2. General approaches to the translation of the forms of the Subjunctive mood

3. Peculiarities of translating object clauses with the forms of the Subjunctive mood

4. Ways of translating clauses with SHOULD

Background for discussion:

1. The use of the Present Subjunctive

2. The use of the Past Subjunctive and the Past Perfect Subjunctive

3. The use of the Analytical Subjunctive

1. Forms of the Subjunctive mood, the general notion

The Subjunctive mood presents an action expressed by the verb as a non-fact, as something imaginary or desired.

In modern English there are special forms of the Subjunctive mood which are formed in different ways and used in different types of sentences and clauses. They are: the Present Subjunctive, the Past and Past Perfect Subjunctive and the Analytical Subjunctive.

The Present Subjunctive coincides in form with the Indefinite infinitive without the particle TO. It never takes any endings depending on the person and number of the subject of the sentence. Even the verb TO BE has the form BE for all persons and numbers.

E.g. It’s really important that he keep this information in secret.

He ordered that all the children be silent and quiet.

The Past and the Past Perfect Subjunctive coincide in form with the Past Indefinite (Simple) or Past Perfect of the Indicative mood. The only peculiarity is that the verb TO BE in the Past Subjunctive has the form WERE for all persons singular and plural though in conversational speech the variant WAS for the singular is quite often used.

E.g. It’s time he knew all the truth.

He looked as if he had heard something really surprising.

I wish he were more polite.

The Analytical Subjunctive is a two-componential structure consisting of the mood auxiliaries SHOULD, WOULD, MAY (MIGHT) and the Infinitive of the notional verb. This infinitive can be used in the Indefinite or Perfect forms depending on the time reference. The Analytical subjunctive is used in a wide variety of clauses of different types and in most cases they are not interchangeable.

E.g. Their plan was that we shouldn’t be informed of their intentions.

I wish you would visit us more often.

Whatever may happen, he’ll stand his ground.

The use of the Subjunctive mood is not limited by conditional sentences only. Its forms can be found in many different types of sentences and clauses and their translation consequently depends on the type of clause and the context.

2. General approaches to the translation of the forms of the Subjunctive mood

The forms of the Subjunctive mood are frequently found in conditional sentences expressing an unreal condition and consequence. To express an unreal condition, we usually use the forms of the Past or Past Perfect Subjunctive depending on the fact whether the action refers to the Present, future, or no particular time. To express an unreal consequence, we use the Analytical Subjunctive either with the Indefinite or Perfect Infinitive. The choice of the infinitive is predetermined by the time reference.

Traditionally to translate these forms into Ukrainian we use corresponding Ukrainian forms. To show an unreal condition we find the Ukrainian conjunction ЯКБИ followed by the verb in the past tense. To express an unreal consequence we use in Ukrainian the verb in the past tense with the particle Б (БИ). Different time reference in Ukrainian translation is expressed only by means of adverbials.

E.g. If I knew his address, I would visit him. Якби я знав його адресу, я б його відвідав.

If you had told me about it before, I would know what to do now. Якби ви сказали мені про це раніше, я знав би, що робити зараз.

Sometimes the word order in a clause of condition can be inverted. In this case in Ukrainian translation we find the notional verb in the form of the Imperative mood.

E.g. Had he learned about it before, everything would have been different. Дізнайся він про це раніше, все було б по-іншому.

But the use of the Subjunctive mood is not limited by conditional sentences. It can often be found in simple sentences expressing an unreal wish or just an unreal action. In case of expressing an unreal wish, we use ЯКБИ with the verb in the past tense. Besides we can often find Ukrainian modal particles ЛИШЕ, ТІЛЬКИ, Ж, which emphasize the meaning of the notional verb.

E.g. If he had come yesterday! Якби ж він приїхав учора!

If only it were true! Якби тільки це було правдою!

If the Subjunctive mood expresses an unreal action in a simple sentence or in a coordinate clause of a compound sentence, we use the Ukrainian verb in the past tense and the particle Б (БИ). As usual, the difference in time reference can be seen only from adverbials and context.

E.g. I would be so glad to see you tomorrow. Я була б дуже рада зустрітися з вами завтра.

They would have discussed it with you yesterday, not now. Вони обговорили б це з вами вчора, але не зараз.

I have no time at all, or I would willingly join you. У мене зовсім немає часу, інакше я б з радістю приєднався до вас.

I would have stopped and talked to him, but he even didn’t look at me. Я зупинився б і поговорив з ним, але він навіть не глянув на мене.