UOE

USE OF ENGLISH: SUBJUNCTIVE, REPORTED SPEECH AND REPORTING VERBS

I) Complete these sentences with the subjunctive.

1.- If I were you, I would buy this jacket. It fits you perfectly.
This sentence is correct because "If I were you" uses the subjunctive mood, which is used to express hypothetical or non-real situations. "Were" is the
correct subjunctive form of "to be" in this context.
2.- She doesn't have a garden. If she had a garden, she could grow her favorite flowers.
This sentence is correct because it uses the second conditional to describe a hypothetical situation in the present or future. "Had" is the past simple form
used in the if-clause, and "could grow" is the result clause.
3.- If he had left an hour earlier, he wouldn't have missed his train.
This sentence is correct because it uses the third conditional to describe a hypothetical past situation. "Had left" is the past perfect form used in the if-
clause, and "wouldn't have missed" is the result clause.
4.- I wish I could go there with you.
This sentence is correct because "I wish" is used to express a desire that is not true in the present. "Could go" is the past form of "can" used to express a
wish.
5.- I wish you wouldn't play the music so loudly. I have a headache.
This sentence is correct because it uses "I wish" to express a desire for someone to stop doing something in the present or future. "Wouldn't play" is the
correct form to express this wish.
6.- I wish you had told me about it yesterday, before I sent out the invitations.
This sentence is correct because it uses "I wish" to express regret about something that did not happen in the past. "Had told" is the past perfect form used
to express this wish.
7.- It is imperative that he arrive before one o'clock.
This sentence is correct because "It is imperative that" requires the use of the subjunctive mood. "Arrive" is the base form of the verb used in the
subjunctive mood.
8.- She looked ill. I insisted that she should see a doctor.
This sentence is correct because "I insisted that" introduces a demand or strong suggestion. "Should see" is used to express this suggestion. “See a doctor”
is also correct in American Subjunctive.
9.- I suggest that these questions be discussed at the next meeting.
This sentence is correct because "I suggest that" requires the use of the subjunctive mood. "Be discussed" is the base form of the verb used in the
subjunctive mood.
10.- What would you do if your car broke down in the middle of the road?
This sentence is correct because it uses the second conditional to describe a hypothetical situation in the present or future. "Broke down" is the past simple
form used in the if-clause, and "would do" is the result clause.
11.- My car is old. If I had enough money, I would buy a new car.
This sentence uses the second conditional to describe a hypothetical situation in the present. "Had" is in the past simple tense, and "would buy" is used in
the main clause to show the hypothetical result.
12.- I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. Everything will be fine.
This sentence also uses the second conditional. "Were" is the correct subjunctive form of "to be" used for hypothetical situations. "Wouldn't worry" shows
the hypothetical action.
13.- Why didn't you visit him when you were there? – If I had known his address, I would have visited him.
This sentence uses the third conditional to describe a hypothetical situation in the past. "Had known" is in the past perfect tense, and "would have visited"
shows the hypothetical past action.
14.- I'm going to Spain next month. – I wish I could go with you.
This sentence uses "I wish" to express a desire that is not true in the present. "Could go" is the past form of "can" used to express this wish.
15.- It has been raining since early morning. I wish it would stop raining.
This sentence uses "I wish" to express a desire for a future change. "Would stop" is used to express the wish for something to happen in the future.
16.- I wish I hadn't said that. My words offended and upset her.
This sentence uses "I wish" to express regret about something that happened in the past. "Hadn't said" is the past perfect form used to express this wish.
17.- It is advisable that the contract be signed today.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because "It is advisable that" introduces a recommendation. "Be signed" is the base form of the verb used in the
subjunctive mood.
18.- I suggest that you should stay at the Rose Hotel. It's clean and quiet. You'll like it.
This sentence uses "I suggest that" to introduce a recommendation. "Should stay" is used to express this suggestion, though in more formal contexts, "stay"
without "should" might be more correct. “stay” is also correct in American Subjunctive.
19.- He waved to her, smiling, and stepped forward to greet her, but she went by him as if he were invisible.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood with "as if" to describe a situation that is contrary to fact. "Were" is the correct subjunctive form of "to be" for
hypothetical situations.
 UOE
USE OF ENGLISH: SUBJUNCTIVE, REPORTED SPEECH AND REPORTING VERBS
20.- We'd like to stay longer, but it's already late. It's time we went home.
This sentence uses "It's time" followed by the past simple tense to express a suggestion or necessity in the present. "Went" is used to indicate that the
action should happen now.

II) Subjunctive review: Complete these sentences with the subjunctive.

1.- Her GP suggested that she (should) do more exercise.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because it introduces a suggestion with "suggested that." In formal English, the verb "do" remains in its base form.
The optional "should" is sometimes included in British English but isn't necessary in American English.
2.- They demanded that the Prime Minister (should) resign.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because it introduces a demand with "demanded that." The verb "resign" is in its base form, which is the correct
subjunctive form. Again, "should" is optional but commonly used in British English..
3.- I recommend that she (should) look for a job that isn't so stressful.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because it introduces a recommendation with "recommend that." The verb "look" is in its base form, which is the
correct subjunctive form. The use of "should" is optional and more common in British English.
4.- John asked that she not disturb him while he was writing.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because it introduces a request with "asked that." The negative form "not disturb" is used with the base form of
the verb "disturb," which is correct in the subjunctive mood.
5.- It is critical that you not eat anything the night before your surgery.
This sentence uses the subjunctive mood because it introduces a necessity with "it is critical that." The negative form "not eat" uses the base form of the
verb "eat," which is correct in the subjunctive mood.

III) Subjunctive review: There are ten mistakes in the following conversation. Find the mistakes and correct them.
SAM: Did you watch that documentary on global warming last night?
CARL: Yes, it was terrifying. I almost wish I didn't see (hadn’t seen) it.
SAM: If we would go on destroying the atmosphere like this, the effects will be catastrophic.
CARL: You're right. It's high time the government does (did) something about it.
SAM: Well, they have set targets for reducing carbon emissions, haven't they?
CARL: Yes, but they're pretty feeble. I think the government should insist that each person to take (take) responsibility for their own carbon footprint.
SAM: That's a bit sweeping. I don't see what individual people can do.
CARL: What about turning down the central heating by a few degrees?
SAM: A good idea - if only the winters aren't (weren’t) so cold in this country!
CARL: Well, what about cars, then? If everybody used smaller cars, there was (would be) a huge reduction in carbon emissions. Take your car, for instance -
don't you think it's time you sell (sold) that big four-wheel-drive thing?
SAM: No, absolutely not! If I won't (didn’t) have that car, I wouldn't be able to take all the kids to school. And it's useful to have a big car in case of some of
their friends need a lift.
CARL: I guess so. Things must be pretty tough with four children...
SAM: Yes. Life would be a lot easier unless I had (if I didn’t have) so many kids!

IV) Reported speech: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.
Do not change the word given.
a) Mary asked Helen if she would like to come to lunch on Sunday.
b) Dick's mother forbade him from smoking in his room.
c) Sue advised me to see a doctor.
d) The minister suggested that the committee should meet regularly.
e) Jack demanded that the police do something urgently.
f) My bank manager said I could visit him at home.
g) Ann insisted on not staying the night at Sophia's house.
h) The teacher threatened to call off the football matches unless the children's behavior improved.
i) Laura promised (her mother) that she would do her homework.
j) Harry congratulated sue on her engagement.