The Subjunctive Mood

A verb is in the subjunctive mood when it expresses a condition which is doubtful or not factual. It is
most often found in a clause beginning with the word if. It is also found in clauses following a verb that
expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal.

These are verbs typically followed by clauses that take the subjunctive:

ask, demand, determine, insist, move, order, pray, prefer, recommend, regret, request, require,
suggest, and wish.

In English there is no difference between the subjunctive and normal, or indicative, form of the
verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb to be.

The subjunctive for the present tense third person singular drops the -s or -es so that it looks and sounds
like the present tense for everything else.

The subjunctive mood of the verb to be is be in the present tense and were in the past tense, regardless
of what the subject is.

Incorrect: If I was you, I would run.

Correct: If I were you, I would run.

(The verb follows if and expresses a non-factual condition.)

Incorrect: I wish he was able to type faster.

Correct: I wish he were able to type faster.

(The second verb is in a clause following a verb expressing a wish. It also suggests a non-factual or
doubtful condition.)

Incorrect: His requirement is that everyone is computer literate.

Correct: His requirement is that everyone be computer literate.

(Subordinate clause follows main clause with a demand.)

Incorrect: He recommended that each driver reports his tips.

Correct: He recommended that each driver report his tips.

Sometimes we may use the conditional auxiliary verbs of could, should, or would to express the same
sense.

Subjunctive:I wish he were kinder to me.

Conditional: I wish he would be kinder to me.

FORM

Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of the
verb "to go" is "go." The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.
USE

The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see
below).

Examples:

 I suggest that he study.

 Is it essential that we be there?
 Don recommended that you join the committee.

NOTICE

The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive is
not noticeable in the you-form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he-form of the verb.

Examples:

 You try to study often. YOU-FORM OF "TRY"

 It is important that you try to study often. SUBJUNCTIVE FORM OF "TRY" LOOKS THE SAME.
 He tries to study often. HE-FORM OF "TRY"
 It is important that he try to study often. SUBJUNCTIVE FORM OF "TRY" IS NOTICEABLE HERE.

Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive

The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:

to advise (that)
to ask (that)
to command (that)
to demand (that)
to desire (that)
to insist (that)
to propose (that)
to recommend (that)
to request (that)
to suggest (that)
to urge (that)

Examples:

 Dr. Smith asked that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.
 Donna requested Frank come to the party.
 The teacher insists that her students be on time.
Expressions Followed by the Subjunctive

The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:

It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)

Examples:

 It is crucial that you be there before Tom arrives.

 It is important she attend the meeting.
 It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of
the Grand Canyon.

Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of Subjunctive

The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms.

Negative Examples:

 The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.

 The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours.
 I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.

Passive Examples:

 Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.

 Christine demanded that I be allowed to take part in the negotiations.
 We suggested that you be admitted to the organization.

Continuous Examples:

 It is important that you be standing there when he gets off the plane.
 It is crucial that a car be waiting for the boss when the meeting is over.
 I propose that we all be waiting in Tim's apartment when he gets home.
Should as Subjunctive

After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to express the idea of
subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the verbs
"suggest," "recommend" and "insist."

Examples:

 The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.
 Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.

Use of the Subjunctive

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we
use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:

 wants to happen
 anticipates will happen

 imagines happening

Look at these examples:

 The President requests that you be present at the meeting.

 It is vital that you be present at the meeting.

 If you were at the meeting, the President would be happy.

The subjunctive is typically used after two structures:

 the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest + that
 the expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital + that

Here are some examples with the subjunctive:

 The manager insists that the car park be locked at night.

 The board of directors recommended that he join the company.

 It is essential that we vote as soon as possible.

 It was necessary that every student submit his essay by the weekend.

Notice that in these structures the subjunctive is always the same. It does not matter whether the
sentence is past or present. Look at these examples:

 Present: The President requests that they stop the occupation.

 Past: The President requested that they stop the occupation.

 Present: It is essential that she be present.

  Past: It was essential that she be present.

The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American English than in English, where should
+ infinitive is often used:
 The manager insists that the car park should be locked at night.
 It was essential that we should vote as soon as possible.

We usually use the subjunctive were instead of "was" after if (and other words with similar meaning).
Look at these sentences:

 If I were you, I would ask her.

 Suppose she were here. What would you say?

Why do we say "I were", "he were"?

We sometimes hear things like "if I were you, I would go" or "if he were here, he would tell you".
Normally, the past tense of the verb "to be" is: I was, he was. But the if I were you structure does not use
the past simple tense of the verb "to be". It uses the past subjunctive of the verb "to be". In the following
examples, you can see that we often use the subjunctive form were instead of "was" after:

 if
 as if

 wish

 suppose

Formal Informal

(The were form is correct at all times.) (The was form is possible in informal, familiar conversation.)

If I were younger, I would go. If I was younger, I would go.

If he weren't so mean, he would buy one If he wasn't so mean, he would buy one for me.
for me.

I wish I weren't so slow! I wish I wasn't so slow!

I wish it were longer. I wish it was longer.

It's not as if I were ugly. It's not as if I was ugly.

She acts as if she were Queen. She acts as if she was Queen.

If I were you, I should tell her. Note: We do not normally say "if I was you", even in familiar
conversation.

Some fixed expressions use the subjunctive. Here are some examples:

 Long live the King!

 God bless America!
  Heaven forbid!

 Be that as it may, he still wants to see her.

 Come what may, I will never forget you.

 We are all citizens of the world, as it were.

1 It is essential that she _________ at the meeting.

2 If I _________ you I would call her tonight.

3 It is necessary that every student _________ a uniform.

4 I hope that he ___________ his homework on time.

5 The doctors recommended that she __________ a holiday.

6 The boss asks that you ____________ early for your first day of work.

7 If you __________ feeling better we would go.

8 It is important that we ____________ home as soon as we arrive.

9 The landlord requested that John ____________ out of the apartment.

10 We want the windows _______________ washed before Friday.

The subjunctive mood scarcely exists in present day English. It is marked by distinctive verb forms
which are now confined to the verb be and third person singular forms of other verbs. Note that the
subjunctive forms still exist in American English.
The following are the forms of the subjunctive.
Present subjunctive
The verb be has the following forms in the present subjunctive mood:
I be (NOT I am)
You be (NOT You are)
We be
They be
He be
Third person singular verbs in the present subjunctive mood have the following forms:
I speak
You speak
We speak
He speak (NOT He speaks)
She speak (NOT She speaks)
They speak
Past subjunctive
The verb be in the past subjunctive mood has the following forms:
I were (NOT I was)
You were
They were

The past subjunctive verb forms are sometimes used after the verb wish to indicate that a situation is
unreal or imaginary.
I wish I were a millionaire. (= I am sorry that I am not a millionaire.)
After if
If I were you I wouldn’t do it. (Indicative mood: If I was you I wouldn’t do it.)
After ‘it is time + subject’
It is time we started.
After would rather + subject
This structure indicates preference.
I would rather you went by train. (= I should prefer you to go by train.)

Using subjunctives with “were”

Tevye, the main character in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, sings “If I Were a Rich Man” with the sadness of a man
who knows that he’ll never be anything but poor. Tevye’s song is about a condition contrary to fact — something that
is not true. Take note of the verb in the title: were. Normally (that is to say, in an indicative sentence) the subject–verb
pair would be I was. But Tevye sings If I were because he isn’t a rich man. The verb were is in subjunctive mood.

Here are some examples of present and future tense subjunctives:

Subjunctive: If Roger were an honorable spy, he would not reveal the atomic secret hidden in the bean burrito.

Why it’s subjunctive: Roger is not an honorable spy, and he’s going to blab the secret.

What the normal subject-verb pair would be: Roger was.

To sum up, in subjunctive sentences, were is usually all you need (unlike in the Beatles’ song, when love is all you
need). Here are a few details about subjunctive for present or future statements of conditions contrary to fact:

 Use were for all subjects in the part of the sentence that expresses what is not true. (If she wereentranced
by Max’s explanation.)

 For the other part of the sentence, use the helping verb would. (Lola would stare at him in silence.)

 Never use the helping verb would in the untrue part of the sentence. For example:

Wrong: If I would have been president, I would ask the Martian colony to secede.

Right: If I were president, I would ask the Martian colony to secede.

As though may sometimes sub for if in a condition-contrary-to-fact sentence. Check out the following:

Subjunctive: Eggworthy hurtled through the air as though a giant metal device were intent on scrambling him.
Why it’s subjunctive: Eggworthy is not being pursued by giant egg-beaters. He is actually hurtling through the air
because he is on a skateboard with one bad wheel.

What the normal subject-verb pair would be: Giant metal device was.
Creating subjunctives with “had”
Subjunctives also pop up from time to time with the helping verb had. For past tense sentences, thehad belongs in
the part of the sentence that is contrary to fact. The contrary-to-fact (that is, the lie) part of the sentence may begin
with if, or the if may be understood.

Here are a few examples of the past subjunctive:

Subjunctive with the word if: If Lola had known about the atomic secret, she would not have eaten that burrito.

Subjunctive without the word if: Had Lola known about the atomic secret, she would not have eaten that burrito.

Why it’s subjunctive: Lola knew nothing about the atomic secret; Roger told her that the crunch in the burrito came
from an undercooked bean.

What the normal subject-verb pair would be: Lola knew.

In 1964, Tevye, an impoverished milkman, first charmed Fiddler on the Roof audiences with his
plaintive, "If I Were a Rich Man." Some four decades later, Gwen Stefani sang an updated version, "If
I Was a Rich Girl." Now, let's drop the last word in each title. Who is right? Tevye, singing were, or
Stefani singing was? Which one can teach you how to write with correct grammar and verbs?
I have found that several people have chosen Tevye's verb (correctly), but they have not been able to
give me a grammatical rule for their decision. In fact, many times, if we trust our ears, we can figure
out how to write English, if we do not stop to think about what we are writing.

In these songs, the singers image being rich, although they are not, and so, they need to sing were.
Why? Singing (or writing or speaking) about a condition contrary to fact takes a special form (or
mood) of the verb called the subjunctive.

Although the subjunctive is on the fringes of English these days, it can still affect the meaning of a
sentence. Consider, "If I am wrong, I will pay the damages" and "If I were wrong, I would pay the
damages." In the first, I am leaving myself open to the possibility of being wrong and of paying the
damages. In the second, using the subjunctive form, I am stating (at least my belief) that I am not
wrong, and I shall not be paying damages.

The was/were use is, of course, for the past subjunctive, but we also have the present subjunctive.
Consider the forms of verbs in the regular present tense (by the way, grammarians call the plain non-
subjunctive form of the verb the indicative). There are only two forms of the present tense in
English. For to study, those are (I, you, we, they) study and (everyone else, third person
singular) studies. So, I study grammar, and you also study grammar, but she studies grammar.

The present subjunctive is even simpler: there is only one form. It is important that
I study grammar, that you study grammar, and (believe it or not) that she study grammar. The basic
(infinitive) form of the verb is the present subjunctive in all forms.
English-speaking teachers of Spanish explain that the subjunctive is W.E.I.R.D., because it is used
to express a wish or an emotion, to make an impersonal expression or a request, or to
expressdoubt.

Wish: I wish that she study. (Quiero que ella estudie.)

Emotion: I am sad that she study. (Estoy triste que ella estudie.)

Impersonal: It is necessary that she study. (Es necessario que ella estudie.)

Request: I request that she study. (Le pido que ella estudie.)

Doubt: I doubt that she study. (Dudo que ella estudie.)

The subjunctive is often used in prayer and other religious statements. Look at the difference
between "God bless us" and "God blesses us." The first sentence, with the subjunctive, is a shortened
form of "(I pray that) God (may) bless us." In the second sentence, with the indicative, "(I state as a
fact that) God blesses us."

There are also a number of standard, conversational tags in which the subjunctive is heard. "If I were
you..." but, obviously, I am not you! Others include: "Be that as it may," "Come what may," "Far be it
from me," "If only I were going," and "Please let me be the winner."

The giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk" must have been an English teacher, perhaps a Spanish teacher,
since he used the subjunctive correctly: "Be he alive, or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my
bread."

Subjunctive Mood: Present Subjunctive

Mood shows how the action is viewed by the speaker. The indicative mood expresses a real
action in the present, past, or future: He is at school now. She asked me to help her. We will
be home after seven. The imperative mood expresses a command or request: Open the door.
Give me a dictionary, please. The subjunctive mood expresses a hypothetical, suppositional
action: I suggest that the meeting be postponed. I wish I were in Italy now. If I had known her
telephone, I would have called her.
Subjunctive mood is represented by three forms in modern English: Present Subjunctive, Past
Subjunctive, Past Perfect Subjunctive. Other forms are rarely used. Main cases of the use of
the Present Subjunctive are described in this material, together with the construction
SHOULD + infinitive which is often used instead of the Present Subjunctive.

Present Subjunctive form

The Present Subjunctive is used to express (and emphasize) urgency, importance, desirability,
demand, order, suggestion, request.
The Present Subjunctive is used in subject subordinate clauses in sentences with the formal
subject "It" after "it is necessary that; it is important that; it is imperative that; it is crucial
that; it is vital that; it is essential that; it is urgent that; it is required that; it is advisable that; it
is desirable that" and other similar expressions.
The Present Subjunctive is also used in object subordinate clauses after "demand that; order
that; command that; urge that; insist that; advise that; recommend that; suggest that; propose
that; request that; ask that; beg that".
The Present Subjunctive is used mostly in formal speech and writing, more often in American
English than in British English. The form of the Present Subjunctive is the base form of the
verb (without "to") for all persons: I be, he be, she be, it be, we be, you be, they be; I go, he
go, she go, it go, we go, you go, they go.
It is necessary that he do it immediately.
It is important that the contract be signed today.
It is imperative that we be present at the meeting.
It is advisable that she have some rest before the trip.
I demand that I be allowed to speak to my lawyer.
The doctor insisted that the patient stay in the hospital.
He suggested that the decision be postponed till next week.
I move that the meeting be adjourned.
Note that the Present Subjunctive does not indicate any time of the action and remains in the
same form irrespective of the tense in the main clause. Compare these sentences:
She asks that the report be ready tomorrow.
She asked that the report be ready tomorrow.
She asked that the report be ready yesterday.
Construction SHOULD + infinitive

The construction SHOULD + infinitive is less formal than the Present Subjunctive. SHOULD
+ infinitive is used in the same situations as the Present Subjunctive, in all styles of speech
and writing, including formal and everyday styles, more often in British English than in
American English.
It is necessary that he should go there as soon as possible.
It is important that the report should be sent without delay.
It is advisable that she should move to another apartment.
He demanded that I should tell him everything.
He suggested that we should meet at the library.
The doctor advises that they should stop eating fat food and fried food.
The construction SHOULD + infinitive is also used for expressing regret, annoyance, surprise
after "I am sorry that; I regret that; I am surprised that; it is surprising that; it is strange that; it
is annoying that", and also in special questions after "why" to express strong surprise.
I am sorry that you should think so.
It is strange that he should ask about it.
I am surprised that she should want to sell her house.
Why should you think so?
Why should he be so angry?
The perfect infinitive can be used after SHOULD in such constructions to express a preceding
action. Compare:
It is surprising that she should say it.
It is surprising that she should have said it.
It was surprising that she should say it.
It was surprising that she should have said it.

Other cases of use

The Present Subjunctive and the construction SHOULD + infinitive are also used in
subordinate clauses of purpose after "lest", a rather bookish conjunction. The conjunction "so
that" is much more common in subordinate clauses of purpose than "lest". Clauses of purpose
with "so that" are generally used in the indicative mood, usually with the modal verbs "can,
could, may, might".
She wrote down the address lest she forget it. / She wrote down the address lest she should
forget it.
She wrote down the address so that she might not forget it.
He stepped aside so that she could pass.
I will wait for you so that we may go there together.
The Present Subjunctive expressed by the base form of the verb is also found in a number of
fixed phrases which to some extent have kept their Old English form. Examples: so be it; far
be it from me; if need be; the powers that be; come what may; suffice it to say; till death do us
part; God help you; God forbid; God save the Queen; long live the King.
Difficulties

It is often difficult for language learners to distinguish the Present Subjunctive from the
Simple Present of the indicative mood. The Present Subjunctive differs from the Simple
Present only in the following cases: 1) forms of the verb BE; 2) absence of the ending s/es
that is used in the third person singular in the Simple Present; 3) negative verb forms.
Compare these sentences:
It is necessary that he be in his office in the morning. (Present Subjunctive; the verb BE is in
the form "be" for all persons.) – He is in his office in the morning. (Simple Present; the verb
BE is in the form "is" for the third person singular.)
It is required that we work on Saturdays. (Present Subjunctive; the verb WORK is in the form
"work" for all persons.) – We work on Saturdays. (Simple Present; the verb WORK is in the
form "work" for the first person plural.)
I suggested that she go there every week. (Present Subjunctive; the verb GO is in the form
"go" for all persons.) – She goes there every week. (Simple Present; the verb GO is in the
form "goes" for the third person singular.)
I suggested that she not go there every week. (Present Subjunctive; "not go" is negative form
of the verb GO for all persons.) – She does not go there every week. (Simple Present; "does
not go" is negative form of the verb GO for the third person singular.)
Substitutes

The Present Subjunctive is not used very often. It is necessary to understand the use of the
Present Subjunctive, but you can always use simpler constructions in the indicative mood in
your own speech and writing. In the examples below, compare the sentences containing the
Present Subjunctive or the construction SHOULD + infinitive with similar sentences in the
indicative mood.
It is necessary that he sell the house. – Tell him that it is necessary to sell the house. He must
sell the house. It is necessary for him to sell the house. I want him to sell the house.
It is important that the report be sent without delay. – It is important to send the report without
delay. Please send the report without delay.
It is advisable that she stay home today. – She should stay home today. It is advisable for her
to stay home today. I advise her to stay home today.
I suggest that we wait here. / I suggest that we should wait here. – Let's wait here. I suggest
waiting here.
She asked that he help her. / She asked that he should help her. – She asked him to help her.
I am surprised that she should say it. – I am surprised that she says it. I am surprised that she
said it.
I'm sorry that you should think so badly of him. – I'm sorry that you think so badly of him.
Why should you think so? – Why do you think so?

Conditional Sentences
A conditional sentence is a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of condition that
usually begins with the conjunction IF. The clause of condition (the if-clause) indicates the
conditions under which the action in the main clause may be realized.
For the purposes of studying, conditional sentences are usually divided into three main types:
1. structures with real condition (first type of conditional sentences, or first conditional); 2.
structures with unreal condition referring to the present or future (second type of conditional
sentences, or second conditional); 3. structures with unreal condition referring to the past
(third type of conditional sentences, or third conditional).
Note: Conditional sentences of the first type (real condition, indicative mood) are described
here for comparison with conditional sentences of the second and third type (unreal
condition, subjunctive mood). Adverbial clauses of condition are also described in the
material
Real condition

Conditional sentences with real condition express real, true to fact / factual conditions under
which the action in the main clause can be realized. The tenses of the indicative mood are
used. In most cases, conditions in the future are expressed, but other situations and tenses are
also possible. Note that the future tense with the verb WILL is not allowed after IF in clauses
of condition. The future idea is usually expressed by the Simple Present in the if-clause of
condition.
She will talk to him if she sees him.
If I have enough time tonight, I will help you.
They will bring his book if they find it.
If he doesn't do his home assignment, he will not watch TV.
If you want to pass your exams, you must study.
You may go home if you have finished your work.
If he talked to her yesterday, he told her about our plan.
Note: WILL and WOULD after IF
There are certain cases in which the use of WILL or WOULD after IF is allowed in clauses
of condition. WILL can be used after IF to make a polite request to do something. WOULD
can be used after IF to express a very polite request to do something, especially in formal
style. Though such constructions are in the form of conditional sentences, there is actually no
condition in them, and the verb WILL (or WOULD) after IF in such constructions expresses
volition to do something, i.e., if you will / if you would = if you wish, if you want.
If you will excuse me, I have to leave now.
If you will please wait here, the doctor will see you as soon as he is free.
If you would kindly wait here, I would be very obliged.
I would be very grateful if you would send me your catalogue.
Also, WILL can be used after IF in such constructions to insist strongly on doing something,
to refuse to do something, or to emphasize the result of the future action. Compare these
examples:
If you go on smoking so much, you will ruin your health. – If you will go on smoking so
much, you will ruin your health.
If Mike doesn't help her, Tom will help her. – If Mike won't help her, Tom will.
I can make your favorite cherry pie for you if you buy sugar on your way home. – I can make
your favorite cherry pie for you if it will make you feel better.
Unreal condition

Supposition in English is expressed with the help of the past tense, usually by the verbs
WOULD, SHOULD, COULD, and MIGHT. There are various types of supposition, for
example, hypothesis, assumption, possibility, probability. Also, suggestions, offers, and
polite requests are often made in suppositional form.
Conditional sentences with unreal condition in the subordinate clause of condition (if-clause)
express hypothetical, unlikely, improbable, unreal, contrary to fact conditions under which
the action in the main clause might be realized or might have been realized. The forms in the
subjunctive mood are used. The Past Subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause to express
unreal condition in the present or future. The Past Perfect Subjunctive is used in the
subordinate clause to express unreal condition in the past.
Unreal condition in the present or future (Second type of conditional sentences)

The situation refers to the present or future, and there still exists a hypothetical possibility to
realize the indicated action, but this possibility is unlikely or unreal because the condition of
its realization is unlikely or unreal. To show unreal condition in the present or future, the verb
in the subordinate clause (i.e., where the condition is stated) is used in the Past Subjunctive,
which is the same in form as the Simple Past for all main verbs (e.g., knew, wanted). The
construction would + simple infinitive (without "to") is used in the main clause. In speech,
WOULD may be contracted to 'd.
I would call him now if I knew his telephone number. (I don't know his telephone number.)
If she had friends, she would not feel so lonely. (But she doesn't have friends.)
If I had enough time tonight, I'd help you. (If I had enough time tonight, I would help you.)
If he repaired his car tomorrow, he would go to the summer house on Friday.
Ella would be very disappointed if we didn't come to her party tomorrow.
What would you do if you found a thousand dollars on the street?
If I found a thousand dollars on the street, I would buy presents and sweets for all the
children in our apartment house.
The verb BE in the Past Subjunctive

The verb BE in the if-clauses with unreal condition referring to the present or future is used
in the form WERE for all persons. WERE is the form of the verb BE in the Past Subjunctive.
The form WAS may be used in informal everyday speech for the first and third person in the
singular, especially in British English.
If I were rich, I would take a trip around the world. (But I'm not rich.)
If she were at home, she would pick up the phone.
If I were you, I'd do it. (If I were you, I would do it.)
I wouldn't do it if I were you.
If he were my brother, I'd go crazy. (standard) – If he was my brother, I'd go crazy.
(informal)
I wouldn't ask you to help my sister if you weren't her friend.
The construction WERE TO emphasizes the hypothetical character of the condition and
indicates that the action is even less likely to happen. Compare these sentences:
What would you do if you lost your job? – What would you do if you were to lose your job?
If he died tomorrow, there would be no one left to continue his work. – If he were to die
tomorrow, there would be no one left to continue his work.
Note that the phrase "If I were you" which is often used for giving advice is the same in the
second and third types of if-clauses with unreal condition. Compare:
If I were you, I would buy a new car.
If I were you, I would have bought a new car a long time ago.
Unreal condition in the past (Third type of conditional sentences)

The situation refers to the past, the time is gone, and there is no chance to realize the
indicated condition and the action that depends on this condition because they are already in
the past. Thus, the condition indicated in the if-clause is unrealizable, unreal, and contrary to
fact. To show unreal condition in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause (i.e., in the part
where the condition is stated) is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive, which is the same in
form as the Past Perfect (e.g., had known, had wanted). The construction would + perfect
infinitive (i.e., would + have + past participle) is used in the main clause. HAD and WOULD
may be contracted to 'd in speech.
If I had known his telephone number then, I would have called him. (But I didn't know his
telephone number then, and I didn't call him.)
If she had wanted to visit us yesterday, she would have found the time for it.
If you had told me about it at that time, I would not have believed you.
If he had asked her to help him before his exam, she would certainly have helped him.
If you'd asked him, he'd have helped you. (If you had asked him, he would have helped you.)
If I'd seen him, I'd have talked to him. (If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.)
If I'd had enough time yesterday, I'd have done it. (If I had had enough time yesterday, I
would have done it.)
If he had not told me, I would never have guessed what he was up to.
What would he have done if he hadn't been sick last week?
If he hadn't been sick last week, he would have gone to the lake with his friends.
We would have gone to the park yesterday if it had not been raining so heavily.
COULD and MIGHT in conditional sentences

Modal verbs COULD and MIGHT are often used in the main clause of conditional sentences
with unreal condition, and COULD is sometimes used in the if-clause with unreal condition.
Note that MAY is generally not used in conditional sentences with unreal condition.
She might go for a walk in the park if it stopped raining.
I could invite her if I saw her tomorrow.
If we left before five, we could catch the six o'clock train.
If we had left before five, we could have caught the six o'clock train. (We didn't leave before
five, and we didn't catch the six o'clock train.)
If he hadn't met Maria, he might have remained a bachelor.
If I could ask him about it, I would certainly do so.
She might get a better job if she could speak English.
SHOULD after IF

SHOULD can be used after IF in clauses with real or unreal condition referring to the future
to show that the indicated action is even less likely to happen. Compare these pairs of
standard conditional sentences and those in which SHOULD adds more uncertainty to the
supposition about the indicated condition.
Real condition (first type): If he comes before five o'clock, I will ask him to wait for you. – If
he should come before five o'clock, I will ask him to wait for you.
Unreal condition (second type): If he came before five o'clock, I would be very surprised. – If
he should come before five o'clock, I would be very surprised.
Note: SHOULD in the main clause

Constructions like "If you asked me, I would help you" (unreal condition in the present or
future) and "If you had asked us, we would have helped you" (unreal condition in the past)
are standard constructions used in conditional sentences with unreal condition. They are very
common in both British English and American English.
Constructions like "If you asked me, I should help you" and "If you had asked us, we should
have helped you" are also used in British English. In such constructions, SHOULD after the
pronouns I and WE in the main clause has the same meaning as WOULD.
Absence of IF

The conjunction IF is sometimes omitted in the conditional sentences in which the if-clause
contains SHOULD, WERE or HAD. In such cases, SHOULD, WERE, or HAD is moved to
the beginning of the sentence and stands before the subject of the if-clause. Note that in the
negative sentences without IF, the negative particle NOT is not contracted with the auxiliary
verb and stands after the subject of the subordinate clause. Examples of conditional sentences
with and without the conjunction IF:
Real condition (first type): If Mr. Rox should call, ask him to call me again after five. –
Should Mr. Rox call, ask him to call me again after five.
Unreal condition (second type): If you should want to go to a restaurant, I would be glad to
keep you company. – Should you want to go to a restaurant, I would be glad to keep you
company.
Unreal condition (second type): If I were younger, I would go to the mountains with you. –
Were I younger, I would go to the mountains with you.
Unreal condition (second type, negative form): If I weren't so tired, I would help you. – Were
I not so tired, I would help you.
Unreal condition (third type): If he had known about it, he would have refused to go there. –
Had he known about it, he would have refused to go there.
Unreal condition (third type, negative form): If he hadn't known about it, he would have
agreed to go there. – Had he not known about it, he would have agreed to go there.
Mixed conditionals

Generally, both parts of conditional sentences with unreal condition refer to the same time.
But there may be cases in which one part refers to the present or future, and the other part
refers to the past. Such constructions are called mixed conditionals.
If he were a good specialist, he would have found the problem with my computer quickly
enough yesterday.
If he had sold some of his paintings when he had good offers, he could buy a house for his
family now.
Implied condition

Sometimes, unreal condition is implied, not stated directly. The context makes the meaning
clear, and the verb is used in the same form as in the full conditional sentences with unreal
condition.
Why didn't you call me? I would have come to your house right away.
I would have visited them, but I didn't know their address.
BUT FOR and IF NOT FOR

Sometimes, the if-clause of unreal condition is replaced by the construction BUT FOR (or IF
NOT FOR) + noun or pronoun. Such structures can be used in situations referring to the past
or present. Compare these pairs of conditional sentences:
But for the children, they would have divorced years ago. – If it hadn't been for the children,
they would have divorced years ago.
But for the traffic jams, I'd like it here very much. – If it weren't for the traffic jams, I'd like it
here very much.
If not for her, he would never have become such a good doctor. – If it hadn't been for her, he
would never have become such a good doctor.

WHAT IF and SUPPOSE THAT

After "What if; Suppose that; Let's suppose that; Supposing that", either real condition
(indicative mood) or unreal condition (subjunctive mood) can be used, depending on the
meaning and context. (The conjuction "that" is often omitted after Suppose / Supposing.)
Compare these sentences:
What if he decides to go there? What will you do?
What if she lost your diamond ring? Would you forgive her?
Suppose he refuses to help us? – In that case, we will ask someone else.
Supposing it rained tomorrow. – In that case, we would stay home.
Suppose that he had told her about his past before their wedding five years ago. Do you think
she would have married him?
Recommendations

Conditional sentences with real and unreal condition are widely used in English, but they are
difficult for language learners. Use standard forms of constructions with real and unreal
condition and make your conditional sentences simple and short.

Constructions with the Verb WISH

Constructions with the verb WISH express hypothetical, unlikely, or unreal wishes: I wish you
were here. Subjunctive Mood is used in subordinate clauses after the verb WISH to express
wishes about the situations that exist at the present time and about the situations that existed in
the past. The verbs COULD, WOULD are often used in subordinate clauses after the verb
WISH: I wish I could fly. I wish it would stop raining. The verbs MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD
are generally not used after the verb WISH in such constructions.
The conjunction "that" introducing object clauses in constructions with WISH is often
omitted: I wish (that) I knew the answer. I wish (that) I had known about it before.
Wishes about the present or future
Construction WISH + Past Subjunctive

The existing situation is not the way the speaker would like it to be, but changing the situation
is unreal or unlikely. The speaker expresses regret about the existing situation in the form of a
wish that the situation were different. The verb in the subordinate clause after WISH is used in
the Past Subjunctive, which is the same in form as the Simple Past for main verbs (e.g., asked,
did), and the verb BE has the form WERE for all persons. The examples below show the
existing situations and wishes for changing these situations.
Situation 1: I don't know his address.
Wish: I wish I knew his address. Meaning: I would like to know his address, but I don't know
it, and I can't find it out now. It's a pity that I don't know his address.
Situation 2: I have an old car.
Wish: I wish I had a new car. Meaning: I would like to have a new car, but it's not possible
now. It's a pity that I don't have a new car.
Situation 3: She has to work on Saturday.
Wish: She wishes she didn't have to work on Saturday. Meaning: She would like not to have
to work on Saturday. She is sorry that she has to work on Saturday.
Situation 4: He is not here.
Wish: I wish he were here. Meaning: I would like him to be here, but he isn't here. It's a pity
that he isn't here.
Situation 5: His parents are poor.
Wish: He wishes his parents were rich. Meaning: He would like his parents to be rich, but to
his regret, they are not rich.
Note: WERE and WAS
The verb BE is sometimes used in the form WAS instead of WERE for the first and third
person singular in constructions with WISH in informal speech, especially in British English: I
wish I was younger. I wish he was here. I wish it was warmer.
More examples

Situation: I don't have a dog. – Wish: I wish I had a dog.

He doesn't have much money. – He wishes he had more money.
I don't speak Chinese. – I wish I spoke Chinese.
They live on a noisy street. – They wish they lived near a quiet park.
It is very cold now. – I wish it were warmer now.
His apartment is small. – He wishes his apartment were larger.
He works in a small cafe. – His wife wishes he worked in a bank.
Do you wish you were rich and famous?
Construction WISH + COULD + simple infinitive
The verb COULD with the simple infinitive is used after WISH to express wishes in the
situations where ability to do something is indicated. The same as the construction with the
Past Subjunctive described above, the construction with the verb COULD expresses regret
about the existing situation and a wish for changing this situation.
Situation: I can't sing. – Wish: I wish I could sing.
I can't speak Chinese. – I wish I could speak Chinese.
I can't stay. I have to go. – I wish I could stay, but I can't.
I can't help her. – I wish I could help her.
She sneezes and coughs a lot. – She wishes she could stop sneezing and coughing.
My friend bought a very nice coat. – I wish I could buy a coat like that.
You can't come to my birthday party tomorrow. – I wish you could come to my birthday party
tomorrow.
Do you ever wish you could fly like a bird?
Construction WISH + WOULD + simple infinitive

The verb WOULD with the simple infinitive is used after WISH to express a wish that
someone would do something to change the existing situation. The wish is usually a
combination of a request to do something and a complaint about the existing situation or about
someone's actions. Since the speaker addresses his wish to someone else, WOULD is used
with the pronouns "he, she, it, you, they", but not with "I, we".
Situation: You use my computer without my permission. – Wish: I wish you wouldn't use my
computer without my permission.
You interrupt me all the time. – I wish you wouldn't interrupt me.
You won't come to my party. – I wish you would come to my party.
My neighbors are fighting and shouting again. – I wish they would stop fighting and shouting.
He smokes a lot. – She wishes he would quit smoking.
She wants to go to France with her friends. – Her parents wish she would stay home and study
for her entrance examinations.
It has been raining since morning. – He wishes it would stop raining.
Important note

Wishes in constructions with the verb WISH express hypothetical, unlikely, or unreal actions,
with additional emotions of regret or complaint about the existing situation. Do not use such
constructions when you want, would like, or hope to do something, or want to ask someone to
do something. Compare these sentences:
She wishes she were an actress. – She wants to be an actress. She wants to become an actress.
She would like to become an actress. She hopes to become an actress.
I wish I could buy a new car. – I want to buy a new car. I would like to buy a new car. I hope
to buy a new car.
I wish you wouldn't go there. – Please don't go there. I don't want you to go there. I hope that
you won't go there. Would you mind not going there?
Note that the verb WISH is sometimes used as an ordinary main verb: I wish you luck. We
wish you all the best. You can stay, if you wish. She wishes to go to the cinema.
Wishes about the past
Construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive

The situation existed in the past. The speaker regrets that something happened (or didn't
happen) in the past. Though changing the past situation is impossible, the speaker expresses
regret in the form of a wish that the situation in the past had been different. The verb in the
subordinate clause after WISH is used in the Past Perfect Subjunctive, which is the same in
form as the Past Perfect (e.g., had asked, had done). The examples below show the past
situations and wishes / regrets about them.
I forgot to call her yesterday. – I wish I hadn't forgotten to call her yesterday.
I didn't help her. – I wish I had helped her.
I didn't buy that book. – I wish I had bought that book.
She bought an expensive rug. – She wishes she hadn't bought such an expensive rug.
He didn't come to the party. – I wish he had come to the party.
You didn't tell me the truth. – I wish you had told me the truth.
She didn't know about his plans. – She wishes she had known about his plans.
He didn't go to the concert with us. – We wish he had gone to the concert with us.
They asked him to leave. – They wish they hadn't asked him to leave.
It was very cold last night. – I wish it hadn't been so cold last night.
Does she wish she had become a teacher?
Note: WISH and WISHED

If the wish was made in the past, the verb WISH is used in the past tense, i.e., WISHED. Past
Subjunctive and Past Perfect Subjunctive are used after WISHED in the same way as after
WISH. Compare these sentences:
She wishes she knew his address. – She wished she knew his address.
She wishes she could play chess. – She wished she could play chess.
He wishes they had told him the truth. – He wished they had told him the truth.
They wish they hadn't asked him to leave. – They wished they hadn't asked him to leave.
Construction WISH + COULD + perfect infinitive

The verb COULD with the perfect infinitive (e.g., could have asked, could have done) is used
after WISH to express regret about the past situations in which ability to do something was
indicated.
She couldn't come to the party. – I wish she could have come to the party.
I couldn't visit her yesterday. – I wish I could have visited her yesterday.
I couldn't help her. – I wish I could have helped her.
I couldn't buy that book. – I wish I could have bought that book.
Note: COULD + perfect infinitive
The verb COULD with the perfect infinitive has several meanings and is rather difficult to use.
It is advisable for language learners to limit the use of the verb COULD with the perfect
infinitive in constructions with WISH using COULD only in the most obvious cases. In a
number of cases, you can use the Past Perfect Subjunctive instead: I wish I could have helped
him. – I wish I had helped him.
Note: WOULD + perfect infinitive
The verb WOULD with the perfect infinitive (e.g., would have asked, would have done) is not
used after WISH in standard speech and writing to express wishes about the past. You may
sometimes hear this construction in informal speech, with the same meaning as in the
construction WISH + Past Perfect Subjunctive: I wish she would have come to the party. I
wish you would have told me the truth. It is advisable for language learners to avoid using
WOULD with the perfect infinitive in constructions with WISH in speech and writing. Use the
Past Perfect Subjunctive in such situations: I wish she had come to the party. I wish you had
told me the truth.
Shortened constructions

Constructions with WISH are sometimes used in sentences consisting of two parts divided by
BUT, with the Subjunctive Mood in the part with the wish and the Indicative Mood in the part
with the existing situation. To avoid repetition, one part of such sentences is usually shortened.
It is not always easy for language learners to choose the right form of the auxiliary verb for the
shortened construction. Though shortened constructions with WISH are not really necessary in
your own speech, you still need to understand the use of the auxiliaries in them.
I wish he were here, but he isn't. – He isn't here, but I wish he were.
I really wish I had a car, but I don't. – I don't have a car, but I really wish I did.
I wish I didn't have to go, but I do. – I have to go, but I wish I didn't.
I wish I could speak German, but I can't. – I can't speak German, but I wish I could.
I wish he would listen to me, but he won't. – He won't listen to me, but I wish he would.
I wish I had studied for my exam, but I didn't. – I didn't study for my exam, but now I wish I
had.
I wish she hadn't invited him, but she did. – She invited him. I wish she hadn't.
Other constructions
Constructions with "If only"

Constructions with "If only" express wishes in the form of regret more emphatically than
constructions with the verb WISH. Constructions with "If only" are used in the same way as
constructions with the verb WISH.
If only he were here with me now!
If only she could visit us more often!
If only I had known the truth at that time!
If only he had listened to me then!

Constructions with "I'd rather"

Constructions with "I'd rather" (i.e., I would rather) express preference. Use the infinitive after
"I'd rather" when you speak about what you would prefer to do. Use the verb in the Past
Subjunctive after "I'd rather" when speaking about what you want someone else to do.
I'd rather stay home tonight.
I'd rather read a book than watch a film.
I'd rather you stayed home today.
I'd rather you didn't smoke here.
Constructions with "It's time"

After "It's time" in such constructions, either an infinitive or a verb in the Past Subjunctive
may be used. Compare:
It's time to go to work.
It's time to say good-bye.
It is time for us to leave.
It's time the children were in bed.
It's time we went home.
Constructions "It's high time someone did something" and "It's about time someone did
something" express the same meaning more emphatically. Such constructions often express
criticism or complaint.
It is high time you stopped smoking.
It's about time he became more responsible.