 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
92
show that, in principle, in all the other cases of its use the idea of unreal condition is, if not directly expressed,
then implied by way of "subtext". These are constructions of concession and comparison, expressions of
urgency, expressions of wish introduced independently and in object clauses. Let us examine them separately.
The syntactic clause featuring the analysed form in the context nearest to the clause of condition is the
clause of concession. E.g.:
Even if he had been a commanding officer himself, he wouldn't have received a more solemn welcome in
the mess. Even though it were raining, we'll go boating on the lake.
It is easy to see, that the so-called "concession" in the cited complex sentences presents a variety of
condition. Namely, it is unreal or hypothetical condition which is either overcome or neglected. And it is
expressed intensely. Thus, the transformational exposition of the respective implications will be the following:
... > In spite of the fact that he was not a commanding officer, he was given the most solemn welcome of
the sort commanding officers were given. ...> We don't know whether it will be raining or not, but even in
case it is raining we will go boating.
Comparisons with the subjunctive are expressed in adverbial clauses and in predicative clauses. In both
cases condition is implied by way of contracted implication. Cf. an adverbial comparative clause:
She was talking to Bennie as if he were a grown person.
The inherent condition is exposed by re-constructing the logic of the imaginary situation; > She was talking
to Bennie as she would be talking to him if he were a grown person.
A similar transformation applies to the predicative comparative clause:
It looks as if it had been snowing all the week.-»It looks as it would look if it had been snowing all the
week.
In the subjunctive expression of urgency (temporal limit) the implied urgent condition can be exposed by
indicating a possible presupposed consequence. Cf:.
It is high time the right key to the problem were found.
*
>
*
The finding of the right key to the problem is a
condition that has long been necessary to realize; those interested would be satisfied in this case.
* The symbol
*
> denotes approximate transformation.
In clauses and sentences of wish featuring the subjunctive, the implied condition is dependent on the
expressed desire of a situation contrary to reality, and on the regret referring to the existing stage of things. This
can also be exposed by indicating a possible presupposed consequence. Cf. a complex sentence with an object
clause of wish-subjunctive:
I wish my brain weren't in such a whirl all the time.
*
>My brain not being in such a whirl all the time is a
condition for my attending to matters more efficiently.
The wish-subjunctive in independent sentences has the same implication:
Oh, that the distress signals had only been heard when we could be in time to rescue the crew!
*
> Our
hearing the distress signals was a condition for the possibility of our being in time to rescue the crew. We are in
despair that it was not so.
As is indicated in grammars, modal verbs used in similar constructions display the functional features of
the subjunctive, including the verb would which implies some effort of wilful activity. Cf:.
I wish he could have come! (The implication is that, unfortunately, he had no such possibility.) I wish he
would have come ! (The implication is that he had not come of his own free will.)
As we see, the subjunctive form under analysis in its various uses does express the unreality of an action
which constitutes a condition for the corresponding consequence. Provided our observation is true, and the
considered subjunctive uses are essentially those of stipulation, the appropriate explanatory term for this form
of the subjunctive would be "stipulative". Thus, the subjunctive form-type which is referred to on the
structural basis as the past unposterior, on the functional basis will be referred to as stipulative.
Now let us consider the form-type of the subjunctive which structurally presents the past posterior. As we
have stated before, its most characteristic use is connected with the principal clause of the complex sentence
expressing a situation of unreal condition: the principal clause conveys the idea of its imaginary consequence,
thereby also relating to unreal state of events. Cf.:
If the peace-keeping force had not been on the alert, the civil war in that area would have resumed anew.
The consequential situation of fact is dependent on the conditional situation of fact as a necessity; and this