内容提要
语气是一种动词形式，用以表示说话者的意图或态度。虚拟语气表示说话者的主观愿望、假想和建议等，所说的话有的与现在事实相反，或与过去事实相反，或与将来事实相反或与将来事实可能相反。所以虚拟语气总是与假设条件句用在一起。除了if条件句外，还有几种常用的条件句，短语也可表示条件。此外，上下文也能创造虚拟的语言环境。但有时条件从句与结果主句可能发生时间不一致，有时虚拟语气会出现倒装情况。除了与条件句在一起使用的主句用虚拟语气外，有些宾语从句或表语从句也有用虚拟语气的情况。
I虚拟语气的形式与基本用法
一、虚拟语气的形式
虚拟(条件)语气中，主句与从句中谓语动词的形式可分为下面四类
|
假设类型 |
条件从句谓语 |
主语谓语 |
|---|---|---|
|
与现在事实相反 |
动词的过去式(be用were而不用was) |
would(第一人称可用should) |
|
与过去事实相反 |
had+ -ED分词 |
would(第一人称可用should) |
|
与将来事实相反 |
were to + 动词原形 |
would(第一人称可用should) |
|
与将来事实可能相反 |
should + 动词原形 |
would(第一人称可用should) |
二、虚拟语气的基本用法
1. 与现在的事实相反
1) What type of automobile would you buy ？
［A］ if you have free choice to choose the cars available today
［B］ if you are free to choose among all the cars available today
［C］ if all cars available were free to be chosen by you
［D］ if you were free to choose among all the cars available today
2. 与过去的事实相反(有时主句中的should have done表示责备或后悔)
2) ，he would have come to class.
［A］ If Mike is able to finish his homework
［B］ Would Mike be able to finish his homework
［C］ If Mike could finish his homework
［D］ If Mike had been able to finish his homework
3) If the United States had not entered the Second World War，probably the 1940 unemployment rate of 14％ still further.
［A］ would rise
［B］ would risen
［C］ would have risen
［D］ had risen
4) Topgrade ［A］ diamonds had not ［B］ increased so sharply ［C］ in value in the late seventies ［D］ if one company had not controlled almost all of the world’s supply.
3. 与将来的事实相反
5) The report would be ［A］ released last January if new developments had not ［B］ made it necessary to revise all conclusions drawn from ［C］ the first series of ［D］ experiments.
6) It is said Tom will go to an appointment tommorrow. If he were to come tomorrow, I ask him to go to your place.
［A］ will
［B］ would
［C］ shall
［D］ might
7) If you to see Mary，what would you tell her?
［A］ are
［B］ will be going
［C］ must
［D］ were
4. 与将来的事实可能相反
(1) If it should rain tomorrow, I would stay at home. 要是万一 明天下雨，我就呆在家里不出去。 事实上 现在天气很好，明天下雨的可能性应该不大，不过也说不准。
(2) If I should see her next Monday, I would tell her about it. 如果下周一我能见到她的话我就把这件事告诉她。
三、例题解析
1) D为正确答案。
2) D为正确答案。
3) C为正确答案。
4) B错。改为would have not。
5) A错。改为would have been。
6) B为正确答案。
7) D为正确答案。
II 虚拟语气的特殊表现形式
一、表示“好像”：除了if条件从句外，由as if和as though等引导的状语从句表示方式时，意思是“好像”,这时从句中的谓语动词应用虚拟语气。其动词形式用过去时(be用were的形式)表示所说的与现在的事实相反；用过去完成时表示所说的与过去的事实相反
1) Violetta has a curious ［A］ expression on ［B］ her face as though she was smiling ［C］ about something that amused her ［D］ .
二、特殊连词的需要：lest, for fear that和in case引起的从句(这时谓语多用should＋加动词原形)
We dare not play jokes on Mr. Wang lest he should become angry. (我们不敢跟王先生开玩笑，恐怕他生气。)
He hurried on, lest he should drop out in the forced match. (他加紧步伐，生怕在急行军中掉队。)
Every attention must be paid to him lest he (should) feel that he is inferior to my other guests. (我对他特别关照，唯恐他感觉到比我的其他客人低人一等。)
He’s working hard for fear that he should fail in the exam. (他加紧学习唯恐考试不及格。)
三、介词短语表示虚拟： 有时假设的情况并不以条件从句表示出来，而是通过一个介词短语来表示，或通过上下文或其他方式表示出来。如 but for, but that…, in case of, otherwise, supposing, under more favourable condition, without 等表示让步假设
He worked very hard; otherwise he might have failed. (他刻苦工作，不然他就失败了。)
We could have done better under more favorable conditions.(假设我们有更有利条件，我们还会做得更好。)
2) But for his help，I .
［A］ should not have succeeded
［B］ had not succeeded
［C］ did not succeed
［D］ have not succeeded
3) The complex society of a modern ［A］ civilization would be ［B］ impossible not having ［C］ the art of writing ［D］ .
4) But that he came to help me, I .
［A］ could not have succeeded
［B］ did not succeed
［C］ could not succeed
［D］ can’t but succeed
四、虚拟错综条件句：上面几种假设类型中，主句与从句的谓语动词形式应前后呼应。但是，如果主句与从句的动作发生的时间不一致，谓语动词形式应做适当调整
If I had a bike(now), I would have lent it to you yesterday. 假如我有自行车，昨天早就借给你了。(主句与过去事实相反，从句与现在事实相反。) I am very sorry if I had done anything wrong to you, but I am sure that it was unintentional.(如果我当时对你作错了什么事，我向你表示抱歉。但我敢保证我不是故意的。)
5) If the United States had built more homes for poor people in 1955，the housing problems now in some parts of this country so serious.
［A］ wouldn’t be
［B］ will not have been
［C］ wouldn’t have been
［D］ would have not been
6) If you had not studied the problem carefully until recently .
［A］ you will find any difficulty now
［B］ you would have found any difficulty now
［C］ you would find any difficulty now
［D］ you have find any difficulty now
五、省略虚拟条件句：虚拟条件从句中的谓语动词如果是were或should(could, might), had等词时，可以省略连词If, 但要将were或should(could, might), had助动词移至主语前形成句子例装(参见第十三章“倒装句”)
7) today, he would get there by Thursday.
［A］ He is starting out
［B］ If he starts out
［C］ Would he start out
［D］ Were he to start out.
8) ，John would not have failed.
［A］ If he has listened to me
［B］ Had he listened to me
［C］ If he listened to me
［D］ As soon as he listened to me
9) I known it，I should have told him.
［A］ Have
［B］ Had
［C］ Having
［D］ If
10) Hadn’t my car broken down，I the train.
［A］ should have caught
［B］ might catch
［C］ could catch
［D］ had caught
六、例题解析
1) C错。 改为were smiling。
2) A为正确答案。
3) C错。 改为without。
4) A为正确答案。
5) A为正确答案。
6) C为正确答案。
7) D为正确答案。
8) B为正确答案。
9) B为正确答案。
10) A为正确答案。
III 从句中须用虚拟语气的情况
一、在wish的宾语从句中
1. 动词wish后跟由that引导的宾语从句(that经常被省略)要用虚拟语气表示一种不可实现的愿望。宾语从句中用过去时(be 用were的形式)表示与现在事实相反,用过去完成时表示与过去相反
She wishes she had more money. (她真希望有更多的钱。) / I wish I didn't say that. (要是我不说这件事就好了。) / I wished I were not so worried. Then I would not have had the accident. ( 我要是不那么忧郁就好了，那也就不会发生那场事故了。)
1) I wish I knew ［A］ you were arriving ［B］ today. I would have met ［C］ you at ［D］ the station if I had.
2) She wishes that we didn’t send ［A］ her the candy ［B］ yesterday because ［C］ she’s on ［D］ a diet.
3) My brother is in ［A］ California on ［B］ vacation，but I wish he was ［C］ here so that he could help me repair my car ［D］ .
2. 当wish的宾语从句表示一种愿望、要求时，可用过去时，也可用would＋动词原形
I wish you would stay here longer. (我希望你在这儿多呆一会。) / She wishes you wouldn't go. (她希望你不要走。)
3. would rather(宁愿),would sooner(宁愿), had rather(宁愿) 等词或短语后面的从句中的谓语动词应使用一般过去时表示虚拟语气，表示与过去相反的也可用过去完成时
4) I’d rather you anything about it for the time being.
［A］ do
［B］ didn’t do
［C］ don’t
［D］ didn’t
5) I rather you did it.
［A］ had
［B］ should
［C］ shall
［D］ have
6) I much rather it was forgotten.
［A］ will
［B］ could
［C］ would
［D］ shall
二、在某些特殊概念词的宾语从句中：一些表示提议、主张、要求、命令、紧要等概念的词语，由于它们本身隐含说话者的主观意见，认为某事应该或不应该怎样，这些词语后面的“that”从句应用虚拟语气，且均以“should”表示这种语气，但事实上“should”常被省略，故此从句中谓语动词用原形。这些词可分为下列几类
1. 下列动词后“that”引导的宾语从句
suggest(建议)， propose (提议)， recommend(建议)， move (提议)， advise(建议)， insist(坚持)， urge(极力主张)， ask, require, request(要求), demand, desire, order, command(命令), decide, intend(打算)， prefer(宁愿)， urge(敦促)。
7) The chairman requested that .
［A］ the members studied more carefully the problem
［B］ the problem was more carefulnessly studied
［C］ with more carefulness the problem could be studied
［D］ the members study the problem more carefully
8) The committee recommends that the matter at the next meeting.
［A］ would be discussed
［B］ will be discussed
［C］ be discussed
［D］ may be discussed
9) The doctor insisted that his patient .
［A］ that he not work too hard for three months
［B］ take it easy for three months
［C］ taking it easy inside of three months
［D］ to take some vacations for three months
When I suggested that he try shaving cream, he said, “The razor and water do the job. ” (当我建议他用刮胡膏时，他说“剃刀和水就行了”。)
He pursued various theories for several days until I suggested we take the toy apart to see how it did work. (他费了几天功夫寻找理论根据，直到我建议拆开看看它是如何转动的。)
One can suggest that students should spend two or three years in an Englishspeaking country. (我们建议学生应在说英语的国家呆上两三年。)
2. 下列表示主张、要求、命令、愿望、建议等概念结构后的主语从句或逻辑上的主从结构(如下列形容词作宾语从句的补足语时，这时宾语从句一般用it来代替)：这时that所引导的主语从句中的谓语动词常用“should ＋ 动词原形”或省略should，只用动词原形
it is necessary 【 essential (重要的)， vital(极重要的，不可缺少的)，important,imperative(必须的)，urgent(紧要的)，advisable(应该的)，proper(适当的)，obligatory (必须的)，desirable(今人满意的，值得的)，appropriate(合适的)，fitting (合适的), strange (奇怪)】that…； it is(was, has been) desired 【suggested , requested, ordered , proposed, dicided】 that … .
10) From the standpoint of the longterm strategic interest of the West it is imperative that .
［A］ their territorial unity being a safeguard
［B］ their unity is a territorial safeguard
［C］ they’re a territorial safeguard
［D］ their territorial unity be a safeguard
11) The irritable ［A］ sergeant was ［B］ insistent that nothing supersedes ［C］ the drilling(训练) of the forty new men ［D］ .
12) It is extremely ［A］ necessary that you will realize ［B］ that reading is not only ［C］ a physical ［D］ and metal process.
3. 下列表示主张、要求、命令等概念的名词后面可以跟接“that”引导的表语从句和同位语从句。这种由that引导的从句其谓语动词通常用should＋动词原形或省略should。这类词有：order, request, requiremetn, insistence，suggestion, command, necessity, importance, idea, plan, motion(提议)，proposal(建议)，recommendation(建议)，understanding(协议), resolution(决定，决议)
13) The judge assented to the suggestion that .
［A］ both of the criminals will soon be set freedom
［B］ some of the criminals there are of guilt only
［C］ the girl was to be paroled in the custody of a welfare society
［D］ the prisoner be sentenced to death
4. 在expect, believe, think, suspect等动词的否定或疑问形式后的宾语从句，我们经常用“should＋动词原形(或完成形式)”，表示惊奇，怀疑，不满等
I never thought that he should be such a brave young soldier. 我们从来没想到他是个如此勇敢的小战士。
14) that the time will soon be ripe for intervention in Iran，they would be faced by a large army?
［A］ It is believed
［B］ Should they believe
［C］ They would believe
［D］ If they would believe
15) I think it advisable that he for Tokyo soon.
［A］ will leave
［B］ may leave
［C］ leave
［D］ leaves
5. 另外，在“开放式条件句”(open conditional clause)和让步状语从句中should是被省略了的。在这种情况下，如果if省略，动词be与主语的位置要倒装
If any person be guilty of a crime, the court shall have the right to appeal. (任何人犯罪，法院有权起诉。)
Whether she be right or wrong, she will have my unanswering support. (不管她是对还是错，我都会支持她的。)
16) ,I will take her as my wife.
［A］ Were she rich or poor
［B］ Being rich or poor
［C］ Be she poor or rich
［D］ Whether is she poor or rich
但如果把引导词去掉，我们就要用倒装句，如上述几句可变为
Be any person guilty of a crime, the court shall have the right to appeal.
Be she right or wrong, she will have my unanswering support.
三、it is (high) time， ［该(必须)做……］等词或短语后面的 从句 中的谓语动词应使用过去时表示虚拟语气
It is high time that you went home. (你们现在必须回家了。)
It is high time that this wrong spending .
［A］ checks
［B］ checked
［C］ was checked
［D］ is to check
答案： C。
此外，还有省去了结果主句的虚拟结构，一般表示愿望，如： If only I were five years younger! (要是能年轻5岁就好了。) / If only she had never been married. (要是她从没有结婚就好了。)
四、例题解析
1) A错。改为had known。第二句的条件从句(if I had)其实是省略句，完整的句子应为if I had known you were arriving today，所以A处为had known。
2) A错。改为hadn’t sent。
3) C错。改为were。
4) B为正确答案。
5) A为正确答案。
6) C为正确答案。
7) D 为正确答案。
8) C为正确答案。
9) B为正确答案。
10) D为正确答案。
11) C错。改为(should) supersede。
12) B错。改为realize。
13) D为正确答案。
14) B 为正确答案。
15) C 为正确答案。
16) C为正确答案。