Thread: subjunctive verbs?

i'm sort of confused by subjunctive verbs. What is the equivlent in english? What do i mean when I use them? And why can't I use the past/ present/ future verb instead of subjunctive?

thanks in advance for your answer.

"...Conditional sentences.

Conditional sentences are closely connected with subjunctive (conditional) mood. There are three types of conditional sentences.
Conditional sentences of the first type express entirely real and realizable suppositions and correspond in Russian language to conditional sentences with verbs in indicative mood. These conditional sentences mostly express suppositions referring to the future tens.
Ex. If the weather is fine to-morrow, we shall go to the country. (Если завтра будет хорошая погода, мы поедем за город.)There is no necessity to further consider this type of conditional sentences as they do not conform to the theme.
The conditional sentences of the second type express incredible and improbable suppositions. They refer to the present or future and in Russian language agree with conditional sentences with verbs in Subjunctive mood (i.e. in the form of past tens with the particle бы in Russian language). In the conditional sentences of the second type in subordinate clause (in condition) there used the form of Past Indefinite and in main clause (in consequence) - a combination of should or would with Indefinite Infinitive:
Ex. If Helen knew** about Alice's arrival (now), she would call her up. (Если бы Елена знала о прибытии Алисы, она бы ей позвонила).
(Given sentence is incredible as Helen does not know about Alice's arrival that is why she can not call her up.)
Ex. If my brother had** a time now, he would help them. ( Если бы у моего брата было время, он бы помог нам.) (This sentence is also impossible as the brother has not time now that is why he can not help us.)
** We have here Subjunctive mood which however coincides with the form of Past Indefinite of Indicative mood.
The combinations such as:
1. Should (with all persons) with Infinitive without particle to;
2. Were (with all persons) with Infinitive with particle to.
are used along with Past Indefinite in order to underline a small possibility of realization of a fact in future.
Ex. If I should see him to-morrow,
I should ask him about it.
If I were to see him to-morrow,
I should ask him about it.
(Если бы я увидел его завтра, я спросил бы его об этом.)
In subordinate clauses there used sometimes combinations of would with Infinitive. In this case the verb would is not an auxiliary verb but serves to show a request.
Ex. We should be obliged if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter. (Мы были бы обязаны, если бы Вы подтвердили (были любезны подтвердить) получение этого письма).
The following examples of sentences may also be regarded as sentences of unreal conditions for the present and future:
1. I wish I knew it. (Как жаль, что я этого не знаю).
2. I fear lest he should be late. (Я боюсь, как бы он не опоздал).
3. He spoke as if he were a doctor. (Он говорил так, как-будто он доктор).
4. I suggest that he should go there too. (Я предлагаю, чтобы он тоже туда пошел).
5. Knew Helen his address she would visit him. (Знай Елена его адрес, она бы навестила его).
6. It is necessary that he should come. (Необходимо, чтобы он пришел).
Conditional sentences of the third type express suppositions referring to the past and that is why they are unrealizable. Like the Conditional sentences of the second type they correspond in Russian language to the Conditional sentences with a verb in Subjunctive mood (i.e. with a verb in the form of past tens with a particle бы in Russian language).
In the Conditional sentences of the third type in the subordinate clause (in the condition) there used the form of Past Perfect and in the main clause (in the consequence) there used a combination would with Perfect Infinitive (without to).
Ex. If your instructions had been received** ten days ago, the goods would have been shipped by the S.S "Svir" yesterday. (Если бы ваши указания были получены десять дней назад, товар был бы отгружен вчера пароходом "Свирь"). **
We have here the form of Subjunctive mood which coincides with the form of Past Perfect of Indicative mood.

The unreal condition of the past moment can be expressed also by other ways:
1. Without using of conjunction If:
Ex. Had I seen him yesterday I should have informed him. (Увидь я его вчера, я бы сообщил ему об этом.)
2. By using of the model verb might:
Ex. He might have done it if he tried.
(Он смог бы это сделать, если бы попытался).
4. By using of the verb wish:
Ex. I wish(ed) I had known him then.
(Как жаль, что я его не знала тогда).

It is worth while giving example of the case of using the Conditional sentences of the mixed type:
Ex. If you had worked harder then you would know English better. (Если бы ты занимался усерднее (раньше, когда-то), (сейчас) ты бы знал английский лучше). "

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