Tense Forms Expressing Unreality

 

Not all the forms of unreality can express tense. Sub­junctive Mood and should + in­finitive and would + infinitive have no tense. They show that the action of the clause follows the action of the principal clause, i.e. express time relatively.

§ I suggest(ed) that he take up the matter. I wish(ed) he would agree to see me.

 

That’s why the rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed. Tense is expressed only by Con­ditional Mood (which has two tenses — Present and Past) and also by Past Indefinite and Past Perfect. The Present Conditional Mood and Past Indefi­nite refer an action to the present or future in clause of condition or concession:

§ If I had time I should go on a short holiday.

§ Even if he knew about it he wouldn't tell us.

 

ThePast Conditional Mood and Past Perfect refer an action to the past:

§ If I had had time I should have gone on a holiday.

§ Even if he had known it he wouldn't have told us.

 

Present Conditional Mood and Past Indefinite indicate that the actions in clauses are simultaneous:

§ They say (said) it would be impossible to decide anything without him.

§ I wish(ed) I knew it.

 

Past Conditional Mood and Past Perfect show that the action of the subordinate clause precedes the principal clause.

§ They say (said) it would have been impossible to decide any­thing without him.

§ I wish(ed) I had known it.

 

It should be remembered that the tenses in sentences of unreal condition are also used relatively in reported speech.

§ He says (said) that if he had time he would go on a short hol­iday.

§ He says (said) that if he had had time he would have gone on a short holiday.

 

The rules of the sequence of tenses are not observed here, but with can (may) + in­finitive used to express problematic actions.

§ On Sundays we go outing so that the kids can (may) spend the day in the open air.

§ On Sundays we went outing so that the kids could (might) spend the day in the open air.

§ I am afraid that he may get angry with me.

§ I was afraid that he might get angry with me.

EXERCISES:

 

Ex. 120. Supply the necessary Forms of the verbs in brackets to express an unreal action depending on an implied unreal condition:

1. In the old days it (not to be) so simple to travel so far. 2. "Why didn't you persuade your brother to go also?" she asked. "It (not to be} better for him?" 3. I never (to give) him a second thought but for what I knew about him. 4. He was feeling at ease and it (to be) pleasant to stay a little longer. 5. She was a competent girl, I thought; she (to make) an admirable nurse. 6. Ordinarily, Jack (to escape) from the party. 7. She knows I (to do) anything for her. 8. "But the door is locked." "I expect we (can, open) it." "Oh, I (not to do) that. Bill (to be) furious." 9. I (can, produce) easily a translation but I felt for several reasons it (to be) wiser not to. 10. Tom was an ironical chap. He (not to bare) his soul to the press. 11. He says he (to die) without me. 12. I had to find a suitable house to live in. David was inefficient about such things, and (to live) anywhere. 13. He's a man who (to hate) to think ill of me. 14. I think that the news (to worry) him too much. 15. Nothing but bad news (to bring) her on a night like this.

Ex. 121. Translate the following into English using the appropriate verb forms to express an unreal action depending on an implied unreal condition:

1. Я не винил его. Я бы сделал то же самое. 2. Это вещи, которые ребенку было бы трудно понять. 3. Я не думаю, чтобы Дорис сделала это. 4. «Посмотри-ка на эту сцену, — сказала она. — Где еще в мире ты увидел бы что-нибудь подобное?» 5. Мне это было бы безразлично. 6. «Видишь ли, мне было любопытно». — «Мне бы тоже было любопытно». 7. «Я не хочу идти туда». — «Почему? Я бы ни за что не пропустил этот матч». 8. Я думаю, что было бы разумно подождать до вечера. 9. Я бы никогда не подумал, что ты так быстро научишься водить машину. 10. Он бы еще многое рассказал, но он устал.

Ex. 122. Find an adequate translation in Russian for the following tradi­tional expressions:

1. "Was it you I saw there?" "What should I do there? However, be that as it may, I never was there." 2. "Far be it from me," he said, "to interfere with your arrange­ments." 3. Suffice it to say that his idea lacked originality. 4. My aunt believes she is doing good to the village, as it were. 5. "I like your young boy, Dinny," said her grandmother. "Be yours a happy marriage." 6. The actress, as it were, did not suit the role. 7. As luck would have it, I got a ten-pound check from my father that morning. 8. Come what may, he decided to sell the house. 9. They were busy packing and, as it were, took no notice of me. 10. I have written few pages that I feel I could not improve, but I could do no better, as it were.

Ex. 123. Revision: supply the necessary forms expressing unreality for the verbs given in brackets:

1. Oh, if only you (to be) as you used to be. 2. I wish you (to turn) the radio down. 3. It's desirable that the issue (to settle) as soon as possible. 4. He asked me to stay with him in the country so that he (to read) his novel to me when it was finished. 5. She arranged that the next morning the boy (to come) to the house where she had taken a room so that they (to spend) the day together. 6. He feared that after twenty years he (to find) his sister a rather disillusioned woman. 7. His mother knew very well who the man was, but wanted to act as though she (to have) no idea of it. 8. He got his sister to make herself scarce for a few hours so that his new friend (not to know) that he did not live alone. 9. When the boys learned of Peter's diary it was inevitable that they also (to set) writing diaries of their own. 10. He insisted that people in plays (to talk) as they talked in real life. 11. I wish I (to see) more of them before the war. 12. Now if I (to get) Helen sacked, this of course (to mean) telling everybody what she did. 13. "I'm afraid I can't stay," I said. "If I (to stay) I (to have) to tell things that they (not to like) and that (to spoil) their fun." 14. It was agreed that Paul (to meet) his mother at the station so that he (to show) her his apartment. 15. I (not to tell) you anything even if I (can, remember) the facts. 16. It (to help) if you (to let) me know what you saw. 17. I know I've broken your life. And we (may, be) so happy. 18. He was afraid that he (to forget) the name and asked me to put it down for him. 19. There was a wonderful concert at the Victoria Hall we (can, go) to. But now we are late for anything. 20. He was not well off and he went about in dread lest he (to dismiss). 21. In the old days she (to argue), but now she only nodded sadly. 22. I wish I (to have) a lot of money. I (not to live) another day in London. 23. Of course, I told myself, he (may, detain) but surely in that case he (to telephone) to me. 24. When he rang up home, his wife was not in. Normally it (not to upset) him but today he needed her advice badly. 25. In my reply to Miss Evans I suggested that she (to arrive) at my office on Monday. 26. Edward proposed that he (to fetch) Bateman at five so that they (to drive) out together to Jackson's house. 27. It (to make) small difference to the universe if I never (to exist). 28. There were moments when she wished she never (to come) away. 29. As Paula had spent the whole day with them, he insisted that she (to go) for a walk in the park. 30. The Colonel proposed that they (to give) a dinner party to the new comers. 31. He has given instructions that all the papers (to send) up immediately. 32. Somehow I felt guilty as though there (to be) something I (may, do) for Renny that I hadn't. 33. What the guests wore I (can, not. describe) even if I (to be) present. 34. His fellow-student's suggestion was that they (to ride) over to Strasbourg to spend two or three nights with friends of his. 35. It's time we (to have) a break. I wish I (can, have) a cup of tea. 36. If you (to change) your mind and (to stay) here I'll take you on a boat trip on Sunday. 37. If it (not to be) for Jim the party (to be) more fun. 38. He spoke very softly as if he (to be) afraid of being overheard. 39. When he entered the room they changed the subject of their conversation whatever it (to be). 40. If Ed (to learn) about it he will probably never speak to me again. 41. If it (not to be} for his mother he (not to live) on a barren slope like this another day. 42. It's high time you (to go) and (to leave) me in peace. 43. I never (may, meet) him but for the chance of his getting drunk one evening in my college. 44. If only he (not to interfere). 45. My patient expressed the request that she (to operate) on by you, Doctor Stone. 46. The arrangement was that he (to fix) his car in my absence.

Ex. 124. Revision: translate the following into English using the appropri­ate means of expressing unreality:

1. Было решено, что дети пойдут в зоопарк сразу после завт­рака. 2. Я бы хотел, чтобы ты поменьше курил. 3. Он потребовал, чтобы с ним немедленно расплатились. 4. Жаль, что я не сказала правды. 5. Необходимо, чтобы ты взял отпуск на месяц. 6. Немного найдется людей, которые отнеслись бы так спо­койно ко всему этому. 7. Я пошел к себе в комнату, чтобы меня никто не беспокоил час или два. 8. Теперь он бы не сделал такой ошибки. 9. Как бы я хотел, чтобы этот семестр уже закончился. 10. В первую минуту он испугался, что Фред сядет с ним рядом и продолжит разговор. 11. Если бы кто-нибудь поверил мне! 12. Я бы счел его способным на это. 13. «Ты сделаешь это?» — «Я бы предпочел, чтобы ты сделал это». 14. Кто-то предложил послать за доктором. 15. Нам пора приняться за работу. 16. Мы боялись, как бы он не заболел. 17. О ней всегда говорили так, в третьем лице, как будто ее там не было. 18. Он знал, что, если бы его мать села рядом с ним и прикос­нулась к его руке, все бы моментально стало хорошо. 19. Ты бы не понял, как мне было трудно, даже если бы я тебе рассказал. 20. Он оставил распоряжение, чтобы нас повезли показать город. 21. О, если бы она тогда только знала, куда написать ему! 22. Если бы не его работа в библиотеке Британского музея, он никогда не нашел бы этой книги. 23. Он запер бумагу в стол, чтобы ее никто не увидел. 24. Если бы с ним не было Мег, он бы спросил их об отце. 25. Мне следовало бы сказать вам давным-давно, как много вы всегда значили для меня. 26. Если бы я когда-нибудь встретила его снова, я бы знала, что делать. 27. «Если бы родители не взяли меня с собой, я бы не простил им этого», — сказал мне мальчик. 28. Как жаль, что я не могу рассказать тебе об этом. 29. Он боялся, что произведет плохое впечатление. 30. А я-то думал, что ты будешь рад увидеть своего старого друга. 31. И вдруг он почувствовал себя бессильным, словно его кости вдруг стали мягкими. 32. Мое предложение было, чтобы он приехал и погостил у меня несколько дней, чтобы осмотреться перед тем, как он найдет какой-нибудь подходящий дом. 33. Как жаль, что ты не видел письма. Оно бы тебе все объяс­нило. 34. Я настаиваю, чтобы мы остались здесь. 35. Его отец решил, что он должен изучать юриспруденцию. 36. Пора бы вам его будить. 37. Они влюбились друг в друга и поженились бы тотчас же, если бы она была свободна. 38. Людям со слабым сердцем рекомендуется принимать эти пилюли два раза в день. 39. Как жаль, что я не знала, что тебе нужна эта книга. Я бы могла купить ее в Лондоне. 40. Будь осторожен с ключом. Если ты вдруг потеряешь его, мы никогда не откроем сейф. 41. Мне предложили написать рецензию на эту книгу. 42. У моего мужа было намерение, чтобы мы поселились в Брайтоне. 43. Я спрятала газету под диванную подушку, чтобы Макс не увидел ее. 44. Если бы не его улыбка, я ничего не заподозрила бы.

 

CHAPTER IV

VERBALS (NON-FINITE FORMS OF THE VERB)

UNIT 19

There are three verbals in English: infinitive, ing - form(gerund, participle I and verbal noun) and participle (participle II).The infinitive is a plain verb stem with particle to; the ing - formis built up by adding suffix -ing to the verb; the participle has only one form — it is invariable. Here are all forms of the verbals:

forms	the Infinitive	the ing- form	the Participle
Simple Active	(to) take	taking	taken
Continuous Active	(to) be taking	-	-
Perfect Active	(to) have taken	having taken	-
Perfect Continuous Active	(to) have been taking	-	-
Simple Passive	(to) be taken	being taken	-
Perfect Passive	(to) have been taken	having been taken	-

 

Infinitive and ing -form

The infinitive and the ing- formhave much in com­mon in their usage, the participle differs from them. The infinitive and the ing- formhave the same lexical meaning as the finite forms of the verb, but:

 

1) infinitive and ing- formhave no forms of person and number;

2) verbalscan’t express mood;

3) infinitive and ing- formhave active and passive forms but ex­press time relatively:

to take — to have taken,

taking — having taken.

 

The action expressed by the verbals may be (a) simultaneous, (b) precede or (c) follow:

§ Heseemed to know all about it. (a)

§ Roger was at home working on his speech. (a)

§ He seemed to have guessed the truth. (b)

§ Having looked at his watch heclosed the book. (b)

§ He was ready to assist them. (c)

 

The infinitive usually expresses a simultaneous and following action, but does not often express a preceding action:

§ He felt a quick impulse to call the boy back. (a)

§ She wasadmiring his ability to concentrate on any task. (b)

§ Sylvia was glad to run across her old schoolmate. (c)

 

The ing- formusually expresses simultaneous actions, but it may also express preceding and following actions:

§ Henry sat at his table waiting for his wife. (a)

§ I remembered hearing my aunt telling me stories in my childhood. (b)

§ She insisted on coming with me. (c)

 

Analytical ing -forms are commonly used with modal verbs:

§ He must be sleeping.

§ He must have misunderstood you.

§ He must have been waiting for you.

 

Continuous Infinitive is used to emphasize the idea of duration, Perfect Infinitive shows preceding action:

§ Their marriage was supposed to have been a very happy one.

 

Perfect Continuous Infinitive shows that the action began before the time indicated by the finite verb and is still going on:

§ She was believed to have been feeling unwell for some time.

Finite forms function as predicates in the sentence and their subject is always the grammatical subject of the sentence, but the subject of the verbals may be expressed differently of the finite verb:

§ He struggled to find the first words for his story.

 

But sometimes the subject of the verbal is expressed by some secondary part of the sentence:

§ He gave her permission to leave.

§ Seeing you there made me remember what I had to do.

 

Sometimes the subject of the verbal is not indicated at all:

§ Writing good prose is not easy.

 

A verbal may have a subject of its own, specially ex­pressed in the sentence. The subject of the infinitive may be expressed by a con­struction which is called the for -phrase:

§ It was rare for him to go out to dinner.

§ He was too embarrassed for us to ask him about anything.

 

Note: the ing - formwith its subject is called ing-complex.

According to the meaning and function, the infini­tive and the ing- formcan be classed into two groups:

1) They can serve as notional verbs:

§ It amused him to tease the girl.

§ He went downstairs, holding on the banister.

 

2) They may also serve as structural words, mainly to be as link-verbs:

§ He is said to be a good chap.

§ Tom said something about it being pretty late.

 

The verb to have may be used as a modal verb:

§ Well, I'm sorry to have to tell you that.

The main difference between the verbals and the finite forms lies in the syntactic functions. The finite forms have one function in the sentence — the predicate; verbals may perform different functions:

a) as the predicate of the sentence:

§ Why not go with me?

§ What about having a look at my new house?

 

b) a second action, accom­panying the action expressed by the predicate

verb:

§ I woke to find Maude cooking a meal. (= and found).

§ He took a seat next to mine, watching my face. (= and watched).

 

c) as parenthesis:

§ To tell the truth, I'm beginning to find her a bore.