在某些從句中謂語需用虛擬語氣:
1.由demand, suggest, propose, request, insist, order由等動詞引起的從句中,在美國英語中多用動詞原形,在英國英語用“should+動詞原形”:
He demanded that they (should) pay the money right away.
他要求他們馬上付款。
I suggest that we (should) cancel the trip.
我建議取消這次旅行。
She proposed that the meeting (should) be adjourned.
她提議休會。
They insisted that the girl (should)b e sent to hospital.
他們堅持送女孩進醫(yī)院。
2.在wish, would rather, had rather后的從句中,動詞和虛擬從句中的謂語相同,需要使用動詞的過去式:
I wish I were a bird.
我愿意我是一只鳥。
How I wish it weren't raining!
我多么希望現(xiàn)在不是在下雨!
I would rather they came tomorrow.
我寧愿他們明天米。
I had rather (that) you told her than I did.
我寧愿你告訴她而不是我告訴她。
3.在as if(though)引起的狀語從句中,謂語和后面從句中的謂語相同,需要使用動詞的過去式:
I've loved you as if you were my son.
我一直愛你就仿佛你是我的親兒子。
They talked as if they had been old friends.
他們談起話來像老朋友。
He acts as if he was (were) the boss.
他那態(tài)度就像他是老板似的。
4.在it's (high) time后的定語從句中,謂語也需用虛擬語氣,需要使用動詞的過去式:
It's time we went to bed.
現(xiàn)在該睡覺了。
It's high time we stopped this practice.
是該停止這種做法的時候了。
It's time that they were taught a lesson.
現(xiàn)在應給他們一個教訓了。
5.在suggestion, proposal, order, idea等詞后的表語從句或同位語從句中,謂語形式用動詞原形:
My suggestion is that we (should) challenge them for a friendly competition.
我的建議是我們向他們挑戰(zhàn)來一場友誼賽。
I second his motion that we set up a special committee to examine the problem.
我附議他的動議,成立一個特別委員會來研究這個問題。