• If only adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a sense of regret. The second part of the sentence is often left out.
If only I had enough time!
If only I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened!
• If it were not for/if it hadn't been for describes how one event depends on another.
If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess.
If it hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost.
• But for can replace if not. It is used in formal language, and must be followed by a noun form.
If you hadn't helped us, we would have been in trouble.
But for your help, we would have been in trouble.
• If so/if not can refer to a sentence understood but not stated.
There is a possibility that Jack will be late. If so, I will take his place.
• Colloquial omission of if: an imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech.
Sit down, and I'll make us a cup of tea. (If you sit down...)
• Formal omission of if causes inversion.
Were we to know what’s going to happen, we’d be omnipotent. (=If we were to know…)
Should you have any questions, feel free to ask. (=If you should have …)
Had it not been for your help, we’d missed the deadline. (=If it hadn’t been fro your help …)
• With if and adjectives/participles it is possible to omit the verb be.
If interested, apply within.
If necessary, take a taxi.
• In the formal structure if + adjective there can be a meaning of concession, i.e. if=although.
The room was well-furnished, if a little badly decorated.
• It's time, it's high time are followed by past simple or continuous, though the time referred to is unreal.
It's time we left. It's high time I was going.
• If I were you is used for giving advice. Note that I and you are stressed more heavily than were. The if-clause can come at the beginning or at the end.
I wouldn't touch that wire, if I were you.
If I were you, I'd go to the police.
• I wish
a) Present/future time: these are wishes where you want to change a present/future state. Notice the past verb forms after wish.
I wish I had a motorbike. (I don't have one now.)
I wish you weren't leaving. (You are leaving.)
• Would is used when the speaker wants somebody or something else to change.
I wish he would change his mind and marry Jane.
I wish it would stop raining.
The use with would is often used to describe an annoying habit.
I wish you wouldn't make such a mess.
b) Past time: these are wishes referring to a past event, which cannot be changed. The verb form after wish is one stage further back in the past. This use of wish is common after if only to express regrets.
I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
• Hope is used to express wishes about simple future events are expressed with hope.
I hope it doesn't (won't) rain tomorrow.
I hope you('ll) have a lovely time in Portugal (on your holiday next week).
• I'd rather/sooner + subject is followed by past verb forms. It expresses preference about somebody else’s actions.
I'd rather you didn't smoke in here.
Compare: I’d rather/sooner + infinitive expresses choice.
I’d rather not smoke here.
Compare: I'd rather / sooner is used with infinitives when comparing nouns or phrases.
I'd rather be a sailor than a soldier. (present)
I'd rather have lived in Ancient Greece than Ancient Rome. (past)
• I'd prefer + it + if + subject + past verb forms or I'd prefer + that + subject + past verb forms
I'd prefer it if you didn't go.
Compare: I(‘d) prefer sth/gerund (to sth)
I'd prefer tea to coffee.
I prefer playing in defence.
Compare: I prefer + infinitive
I prefer not to think about it.
Compare: I’d prefer + sb + infinitive
I'd prefer you to go swimming (rather than go jogging).
• Formal requirements, instructions: after verbs such as advise, ask, beg, command demand, direct, insist, instruct, intend, order, prefer, propose, recommend, recommend, request, require, stipulate, suggest, urge and their corresponding nouns (warning, ect); adjectives such as advisable, appaling, (in)appropriate, (in)conceivable, crucial, important, obligatory, (un)necessary, urgent, vital, imperative, essential, etc. which involve an implied obligation, the subjunctive may have only one form, that of the infinitive, and there is no third person -s, or past form. The verb be has be for all forms.
They demanded that he leave at once.
The school Principal suggested that he be awarded a scholarship.
Less formally, should can be used, and colloquially no verb form change is made, or an infinitive construction is used.
They demanded that he should leave.
They demanded that he left. (informal)
• Idioms, fixed expressions using present subjunctive:
God save the Queen!
Long live the King!
Be that as it may
Come what may
Far be it from me + infinitive
God/Heaven forbid (that)
Suffice it to say
So be it.
Be it … or …
Дата добавления: 2015-09-12; просмотров: 95 | Поможем написать вашу работу | Нарушение авторских прав |