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1) when they are used in certain sentence or clause patterns. We shall regard such cases as structurally
determined use of the subjunctive mood;
2) when their use is determined by the lexical meaning of the verb or conjunction (see below examples with
the verb wish and the conjunction lest).
3) in some set expressions (formulaic utterances) which have to be learned as wholes and in which no
element of the structure can be omitted or replaced. We shall regard these cases as the traditional use of the
forms.
The first two conditions very often overlap.
The subjunctive mood and the tense category
§ 80. The category of tense in the subjunctive mood is different from that in the indicative mood: unlike the
indicative mood system in which there are three distinct time-spheres (past, present, future), time-reference in
the subjunctive mood is closely connected with the idea of unreality and is based on the following opposition in
meaning:
Imagined, but still possible
(referring to the present or future indiscriminately)
imagined, no longer possible
(referring to the past)
The difference in meaning is expressed by means of the following contrasting forms:
1) The common or continuous non-perfect infinitive as contrasted with the perfect common or continuous
infinitive in the analytical forms with should, would, and quasi-subjunctive forms with may (might).
Referring to the Present or Future
I fear lest he should escape.
He would phone you.
I suppose he should be working in the library.
Referring to the Past
I fear lest he should have escaped.
He would have phoned you.
I suppose he should have been working in the library.
2) The forms of the non-factual past indefinite and past continuous contrast with the forms of the non-factual
past perfect and past perfect continuous in time reference:
Referring to the Present or Future
If I knew.
I wish I were warned when the time-table is changed.
Referring to the Past
If I had known.
I wish I had been warned.
In case these forms are used in subordinate clauses (as is usually the case) their time-reference is always
relative. The non-factual past indefinite and past continuous indicate that the hypothetical action is regarded as
simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; the non-factual past perfect and past perfect
continuous indicate actions prior to the action expressed in the principal clause.
We did things and talked to the people as if we were walking in our sleep.
His face was haggard as if he had been working the whole night.
The opposition of the non-perfect continuous infinitive and the perfect continuous infinitive is less distinct,
as these forms are not so common: an imaginary action is usually presented as devoid of any aspective
characteristics.
The old synthetic forms (he be, he come, he were) have no corresponding oppositions in time-reference.
Structurally determined use of subjunctive mood forms