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Concessive meaning may be rendered by the indicative mood in the same patterns of clauses, if the fact
despite which the action is carried out is a real one.
Cold as it is, we shall go out. (it is really cold)
Tired as he was, he continued his work.
Though he was 36, he looked very old.
It was not meant to offend you, no matter how ironic it sounded.
The subjunctive mood in simple sentences
§ 93. Besides cases when the subjunctive mood forms are used in simple sentences to express an unreal
action as a consequence of an implied condition (see § 88), these forms are also used in simple sentences of the
following kind:
1. In exclamatory sentences beginning with if only to express a wish. They follow the same pattern as
conditional clauses, and would + infinitive, past subjunctive, non-factual tense forms are used.
If only it were true!
If only I knew what to do!
If only I had listened to my parents!
If only it would stop raining!
If only we could have stopped him!
2. In exclamatory sentences to express an emotional attitude of the speaker to real facts (surprise and
disbelief). Here should + infinitive is used.
And this should happen just on this day!
That it should be you of all people!
3. In questions expressing astonishment or indignation the analytical form should + infinitive is used:
Why should you and I talk about it?
How should I know?
Why should you suspect me?
Why should you not do it?
The traditional use of the subjunctive mood in formulaic expressions
§ 94. These forms remained as survivals of old usage and they are used as wholes, in which no element of
structure can be omitted or replaced.
Most of them have a religious origin and express a wish or a prayer: God bless you! (Bless you!) God save
the king! Heaven forbid! The Devil take him!
In many cases, however, formulaic expressions may be expanded by variable elements (parts of the sentence
or clauses), thus making productive patterns in Modern English. They vary in their meaning, although mostly
express a wish. Among them are:
1. Forms used in slogans: Long live the Army! Long live patriotism! Long live the fighters for peace! Long
live heroes!;
2. Forms used in oaths, curses, and imprecations: Manners be hanged! Confound your ideas! Confound
the politics!
Far be it from me to spoil the fan!
Far be it from me to conceal the truth!
- Чтобы я хотел испортить вам настроение!
- Чтобы я скрывал правду!