THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD

1. Change the verbs in the subordinate clause into the Subjunctive Mood, by using the
verbTO WISH in the main clause, according to the models: (Make all the necessary
changes):
A. Model:
a) I dont think he is in town at present.
b) I wish he were in town at present.
1. I regret you dont take this into account. 2 It is a pity he is always so busy. 3.
They live near a park. 4. He is sorry I dont take his offer seriously. 5. I cant get
the book you told me about. 6. It is a pity she does not speak English. 7. I regret
the students dont study more.
B. Model:

a) My sister did not know that her friend was coming.

b) My sister wished she had known that her friend was coming.
1. We regret that he did not drive very carefully. 2 He says that it is a pity we did
not book for that performance. 3. I regret Mr. X did not sign the contract. 4. He is
sorry Georgiana didnt accept her friends advice. 5. We all regret he failed in his
examination. 6. It is a pity he mentioned that story. 7. Our colleague is sorry that
he was not free yesterday morning.

2. Comment on the use of would + infinitive in object clauses after the verb TO WISH
1. I wish he would take some exercise. 2. We wish she wouldnt complain so
often. 3. I wish you would get up early. 4. I certainly wish you would do it! 5. He
wishes they would understant him better.6. Mother wishes her son would learn to
swim. 7. We wish they would keep quiet. 8. The teacher wishes the student would
read the excerpt aloud. 9. I wish they would notice our improvement.
3. Put the verbs in brackets in the right form: present subjunctive, perfect subjunctive or
would + infinitive:
1. We had a very good time at the party and I wish you (to be) with us. 2. I wish
(to listen) more carefully to your teacher. 4. I wished she (to post) the letter for
me. 5. He wishes his mother (to be) there now to help him. 6.Doesnt your teacher
wish you (to improve) your pronunciation? 7. I didnt like the film yesterday and I
wish I (not to stay) up to the end. 8. Mary wished she (not to be ill) during the
holiday. 9. Dont your friends wish you (to go) on the trip with them? 10. The
children wished they (to be allowed) to swim in the lake. 11. I wish you (to pay)
more attention to your spelling in the future.
4. Complete the following sentences using Id rather you and the Subjunctive Mood of the
verbs given below. Use each verb only once. (We use this structure when we prefer
someone else to do / not to do something) stay; not turn on; come; not tell; phone.
1. Shall I come and pay you a visit tomorrow? today, because I am busy
tomorrow.
2. Of course you could go if you want to, but a bit longer.
3. I could phone to your parents if you wish, but them.
4. I think this is a secret, so, please, anybody.
5. Ive got a bad head ache, the radio if you dont mind?
5. Translate the following sentences into English using the set phrases: had better; had
rather; would rather; would better; would sooner:

1. Ai face bine s-i vorbeti n loc de a pstra tcerea ntr-o asemenea situaie. 2.
A prefera s nu plec n excursie dect s te las singur acas. 3. Ai vrea s nu
ajung la timp la spectacol? 4. Fratele tu ar prefera s-l nsoeti n cltoria sa. 5.
Fiul su ar prefera s se joace dect s nvee. 6. Ar face mai bine s nceteze cu
zgomotul. 7. A prefera s petrecem acest sfrit de sptmn la munte. 8. Dei
eti bolnav ar fi mai bine s deschizi fereastra i s aeriseti camera dect s stai n
aer nchis. 9. A prefera s vii cu mine la Londra pentru discuii cu partenerul
nostru.
6. Apply the use of the Subjunctive Mood in the following sentences for the verbs in brackets:
1. It is necessary that he (to be) told his colleagues opinion. 2. Isnt it time you
(to stop) playing? 3. It is proper that you (to make up your mind) whether you
come or stay. 4. It is possible that he (to turn over) a new leaf in his life. 5. It is
high time that you (to have) grown up. 6. It is wrong that he (not to know) these
spelling rules. 7. It is right that you (to begin) preparing for your autumn exams.
8. It is essential that you (to have) a heart to heart talk. 9. In the rush of things it
was a pity that he (to have forgotten) to thank her for her kindnes.
7. Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form paying attention to the presence of as if /
as though / than if / rather than / even if / even though / whoever:
1. The student speaks English as if he (to be) a real Englishman. 2. Mother used to
treat her daughter as though she (to be) a little girl. 3. With us he feels much
happier than if (to stay) at his house. 4. I should like to hear some good music
rather then (to listen) to this talk. 5. It looks as though nobody (to know) the truth.
6. We should go and visit him even if it (to rain). 7. She was fond of the little girl
as though she (to be) her own sister. 8. Even though (to come) earlier, he would
have missed her. 9. Whoever he (to be) the president was not at the office to
anyone. 10. In their house he felt as he (to be) one of their family.
8. Complete the following pairs of sentences supplying suitable conditions to the if-clauses:
Work in teams.
1. She would soon set matters right if she
2. She would have soon set matters right if she
1. You would like them if you
2. You would have liked them if you
1. I should be obliged to you if you
2. I should have been obliged to you if you
1. She would see to everything if she
2. She would have seen to everything if she
1. George would post the letter if you
2. George would have posted the letter if you
1. I am sure he would do it if you
2. I am sure he would have done it if you
9. Translate into English paying attention to the use of the Subjunctive Mood. (Present
Subjunctive or Perfect Subjunctive):

1. Ce bine ar fi s putem ncheia contractul n curnd. 2. Ce bine ar fi fost s fi

venit reprezentantul firmei ieri la discuii! 3. Mi-a dori s fiu n locul tu, director
executiv al firmei. 4. Oricum ar fi vremea, eu tot plec la negocieri. 5. Orice s-ar
ntmpla, nu m rzgndesc n privina acestei clauze. 6. Prietena mea i-ar fi dorit
s fie economist. 7. M ntoiesc c ar fi la serviciu la aceast or. 8. Dac acest
lucru este adevrat, e un om detept. 9. S vin cineva aici s ne explice situaia!
10. Este de dorit ca membrii acestui club s participe regulat la dscuii. 11. Nu
voiam s-o las s plece ca s nu se rtceasc pe drum. 12.i era team s nu o
prind furtuna. 13. Ai face mai bine s-o nsoeti. 14. Se uita mereu spre u, ca i
cnd ar fi ateptat s vin cineva. 15. Este timpul s plecm la gar. 16. Dac a
gsi un loc la fereastr, cltoria ar fi o adevrat plcere. 17. Chiar dac ar fi aa
cum spui tu, situaia tot nu ar fi uoar.
10. Replace the Subjunctive used in the sentences given below by the Subjunctive Equivalent
may (might) + Infinitive:
1. Long be she happy! 2. We are afraid that she miss the bus at this time. 3. I hope
they arrive to-night. 4. He closed the shutters so that the light did not come in. 5.
However hard it rain, we shall have to leave. 6. She lookd as if she cried. 7. It was
possible they were at home. 8. I hoped my family were right. 9. Whatever the
cause be, you have no right to be angry with them. 10. It was likely he had come
in time. 11. I wish you stayed with us for ever. 12. They sent all the documents by
air mail so that they were received before the arrival of the shipping.
11. Replace the Subjunctive used in the sentences given below by the Subjunctive Equivalent
should + Infinitive:
1. Dont speak like that lest he be angry. 2. We dare not move for fear the child
wake up. 3. Being ill I suggested they go on the trip without me. 4. The company
sent orders that the cheques be paid. 5. It is natural that the peoples want to live in
peace. 6. It is impossible that the plane arrive in time under such circumstances. 7.
There is no reason why they speak like that. 8. I shall speak my mind even though
they were angry with me. 9. However hard the work be, he will never give up. 10.
It is desirable you make up your mind.
12. Finish the following sentences using a Subjunctive or a Subjunctive Equivalent:
1. It is necessary that they 2. It was likely that 3. Why is it so important that
she ? 4. Isnt it strange that he ? 5. It is possible that the students 6. We
suggest that 7. Tomorrow we shall start early lest 8. The students gave their
papers to the teacher so that he 9. I prefer travelling by car however tiring the
journey 10. She would understand the situation if she
13. Choose one of the two Subjunctive Equivalents in brackets:
1. Send a cable so that they (may//should) know about your arrival tomorrow. 2. I
suggest that the students (may/should) try this new method. 3. It is possible that he
(may/should) go at this hour. 4. However much we (may/should) admire his
activity, we cant overlook such a mistake. 5. I am putting down my suggestions
so that they (may/should) act accordingly. 6. This is a short note lest I

(may/should) forget about the date. 7. We all are glad that you (may/should) be
there. 8. Its probable that this team (may/should) win the competition. 9. Nobody
could understand why he (might/should) behave like that. 10. Mother wished that
her son (might/should) get a high mark. 11. She was looking as if something
unexpected (might/should) happen. 12. It was out of question that she
(might/should) be able to walk there, in her poor condition.
14. Use the Subjunctive Mood or a Subjunctive Equivalent for the Infinitives in brackets:
1. I suggest that the text (to be translated) first into Romanian. 2. We doubt if the
football team (to be) here by now. 3. It is necessary that the question (to be
settled) immediately. 4. He insisted that the request (to be) accepted. 5. A notice
was posted that all books (to be returned) to the university library by October 1. 6.
Long (to, live) he! 7. It is very annoying that you (to forget) to bring my things
back. 8. John wishes he (to be) an economist. 9. He feared lest he (to be)
misunderstood in his actions. 10. Suppose he (to come) and (to inquire) into the
matter! 11. It is time you (to make up) your mind whether you are going to
become an engineer or an economist. 12. In case of illness, it is more important
that you (to be told) the truth, rather than (to be kept) in ignorance. 13. It was very
curious that you (to take) that view. 14. All happiness (to attend) you! 15. If you
(to go to the theatre) last night, I am sure you would have enjoyed the play. 16. It
is difficult to say why (to refuse) to join us on this trip. 17. We hope that she (to
recover) soon. 18. He knew the place as if he (to be born) there. 19. One of you
(to go) and (to fetch) some chalk. 20. She is in a hurry so that she (to catch) the
last bus tonight.
15. Translate into English using the Subjunctive Mood or a Subjunctive Equivalent:
1. Colegii cer ca linitea s fie meninut n timpul lucrului. 2. S-a propus s se
aplice un nou procedeu tehnic. 3. S trii muli ani! 4. Se temea s nu fac vreo
greeal de ortografie. 5. Fie cum doreti! 6. Este neobinuit ca vremea s fie att
de rece n octombrie. 7. A fi dorit ca el s nu fi fost att de neglijent n realizarea
acestui raport. 8. Ai face mai bine s ncerci s-i vorbeti personal. 9. Orict de
dificil ar fi textul, m voi strdui s-l traduc. 10 Unul dintre voi s citeasc
referatul. 11. Este posibil ca prietenii ti s fie nc acolo ateptndu-te. 12. Regret
ca tu s spui aa ceva. 13. A dori s stai jos. 14. De-a ti mcar cum s rezolv
situaia!
16. Change the following sentences using if only; work in pairs. Comment upon the
meaning of the respective sentences.
Ex: I wish I had a car (I do not have a car)
If only I had a car.
1. I wish she were not so bad to me. 2. She wishes she could play the piano. 3. We
wished we knew Marys address. 4. I wish you would be quiet as Im trying to do
my homework. 5. He wishes you would stop complaining. 6. We wish he
wouldnt leave his paper lying all over the desks. 7. I wish Id visited the museum
yesterday. 8. He feels sick; he wishes he hadnt walk in rain so long. 9. We wish
you had explain the situation to us.