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The Subjunctive shows either a possible action or unreality, improbability, something contrary to the fact. The Subjunctive has two forms: 1. Synthetic Subjunctive a) Present Tense b) Past Tense b)1. Past Subjunctive b)2. Past Perfect Subjunctive 2. Analytic Subjunctive shall/ should/ would/ may/ might/ could+ Present/ Perfect Infinitive (much more frequently used than the Synthetic Subjunctive)
Shall+ Infinitive
Form of the Analytic Subjunctive, it is used: In main clauses: Shall I help you with your homework? (=Do you want me to help you?) In subordinate clauses (less used in spoken English): They have decided that you shall go home.(= you must go)
Should + Infinitive
Form of the Analytic Subjunctive, it is used: In main clauses: Why should they come in that early? (why is it necessary for them to come?) In subordinate clauses: a) Subject Clauses following impersonal constructions like: it is/was important/ necessary/ natural, surprising/ advisable: Its necessary that you should be present. b) Conditional clauses (to underline the hypothetical nature of the action) If she should come, what would you tell her? c) Direct object clauses, after such verbs as to demand, to insist, to command, to propose, to request, to suggest a.s.o. They suggested that you should tell them the truth. d) Subordinate clauses of purpose, introduced by lest, for feat (that), in case: We left in a hurry, lest she should see us there. e) Appositive attributive clauses: His desire that no one should enter that room surprised us. f) Concessive clauses introduced by though, although, whatever: Whatever she should say, dont contradict her.
Would + Infinitive
Form of the Analytic Subjunctive, it is used: a) In Direct object clauses after wish , to express a possible action: They wish we would pay them a visit. b) In Subordinate clauses of purpose She learnt all the new words so that she would be able to translate the text.
Could + Infinitive
Form of the Analytic Subjunctive, this construction is used to express purpose as an alternative to may/ might. The Could + Infinitive has, in this case, a higher degree of certainty. She studied a lot so that she could pass the exam.
Note
Notice that the subjunctive is not generally used after verbs such as hope and expect, or after verbs that use a different syntax, such as want (it is not usual to say I want that he wash up; the typical syntax is I want him to wash up).
Bibliography
Paidos, Constantin, English Grammar. Theory and Practice, Bucuresti, Editura Polirom, 2004.