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§ 81. In Modern English the choice of the subjunctive mood form is determined by the structure of the
sentence or clause even more than by the attitude of the speaker or writer to what is said or written. There exist
strict rules of the use of the forms in different patterns of sentences and clauses.
The subjunctive mood in subject clauses
§ 82. 1. The use of the subjunctive mood forms in subject clauses in complex sentences of the type It is
necessary that you should come.
Subject clauses follow the principal clause, which is either formal or has no subject (exclamatory). The
predicate of the principal clause expresses some kind of modality, estimate, or some motive for performing the
action denoted by the predicate in the subordinate clause. This close connection between the two predicates
accounts for the nature of the subordinate clause, which completes, or rather gives meaning to general situation
described in the principal clause.
Should + infinitive or present subjunctive is generally used in this pattern in the subject clause.
It is (was) necessary
It is (was) important
It is (was) only right
It is (was) curious
It is (was) funny
It is (was) good (better, best)
It is (was) cruel
It is (was) shameful
It is (was) a happy coincidence
It is (was) considered strange
It is (was) recomended
It becomes (became) a custom
It seems (seemed) to me prophetic
How wonderful
What a shame
How strange
etc.
that he should say so.
(that he say so).
It is sad that you should have heard of it on the day of your wedding.
It is a happy coincidence that we should meet here.
It shocked him that he should have been so blind.
It was suggested that somebody should inform the police.
It was more important that he should care for her enough.
In American English the present subjunctive is predominant in this sentence pattern:
It is sad that you be here.
In exclamatory complex sentences:
How wonderful that she should have such a feeling for you!
What a scandal that Palmer and Antonia should go to the opera together!
If the principal clause expresses possibility (it is probable, possible, likely) may (might) + non-perfect
infinitive is used, because the action is referred to the future (Возможно, что...; похоже, что...; видимо...)
It is likely the weather may change.
It is possible the key may be lost.
In negative and interrogative sentences, however, should + infinitive is used: