CHUYÊN ĐỀ 5: THỂ GIẢ ĐỊNH

SUBJUNCTIVE AND UNREAL TENSES TRANSFORMATION (1)

Subjunctives (Các cấu trúc giả định)
- To understand some subjunctive structures after some Verbs, Adjectives, Nouns and
do sentence related transformation exercises.
*. General Definition:
Thể giả định là cấu trúc trong đó chỉ sử dụng hình thức nguyên thể không “TO” của động
từ để nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng hay tính chất khẩn cấp của sự việc. Thể giả định được sử
dụng sau một số động từ, tính từ, danh từ.
1) Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive: Insisting, demanding … (khăng khăng, yêu
cầu, ..)
Form: S1+ V1 + (that) + S2 + (Should) + (not) + V2(bare) + …
V1: advise, demand, prefer, require, ask, insist, propose (đề nghị), stipulate (quy định),
command (ra lệnh, chỉ huy), move (đề nghị), recommend, suggest, decree (ra lệnh, quy
định băng sắc lệnh), order, request, urge, vote (bầu, bỏ phiếu, đề nghị), resolve (kiên
quyết), dictate (tuyên bố, ra lệnh), intend, petition (kiến nghị) …
E.g. -Tom suggested that his friends stay over for the night.
- Sam proposed that Tom telephone his accountant.
- She recommended that he go and see a doctor.
- The manager requested that everyone put their requests in writing.
- He insisted that she stay until the end of the week.
- The Queen commands that he attend the ceremony.
- He urged that a business manager be hired to help things run more smoothly.
- The teacher recommended that we join the club.
- The professor asked that Tim submit his research paper before the end of the
week.
- The doctor suggested that his patient stop smoking.
- The doctor suggested that his patient not smoke.
The verb ‘be’: ‘Be’ has special subjunctive forms: I be, you be, she be, they be, etc.
- It is vital that you be truthful about what happened.
- He suggested that she be more vocal in the next meeting.
- She urged that the matter be resolved in a family court.
- Hadrian decreed that a new temple be built in the honour of Jupiter.
2) Adjectives Followed by the Subjunctive:
It + be + Adj/V.p2 + that + S + (should) + (not) + V(bare) + …
Sau đây là một số các tính từ đòi hỏi mệnh đề sau nó phải ở dạng giả định, trong câu bắt
buộc phải có “that” và động từ sau chủ ngữ 2 ở dạng nguyên thể bỏ “to”: advised,
advisable, necessary, recommended, important, obligatory, required, imperative,
mandatory, proposed, suggested, best, crucial, desirable, essential, important, urgent,
vital, fitting, anxious, eager,..
Example:
- It's advisable that you practise English regularly.
- It is necessary that he find the books. - It is necessary that he not find the
books.
- It has been proposed that we change the topic.
- It has been proposed that we not change the topic.
- It's urged that more attention be paid to the problem of tra-c jams.
- It is imperative that you get home before dark.
- It is important that everyone follow the rules.
- It is necessary that everyone be calm in times of danger.
- It is essential that you arrive before 5pm.
- It is critical that the prime minister address those sensitive issues.
- It was vital that everything be done on time.
- It is crucial that we make it successful.
Nếu bỏ that đi thì chủ ngữ 2 sẽ biến thành tân ngữ sau giới từ for, động từ trở về dạng
nguyên thể có to và câu mất tính chất giả định trở thành dạng mệnh lệnh thức gián tiếp.
E.g.
- It is necessary for him to find the books.
- It is necessary for him not to find the books.
- It has been proprosed for us to change the topic.
- It has been proprosed for us not to change the topic.
3) Nouns used with the Subjunctive
Một số danh từ sau đây buộc phải sử dụng thể giả định nếu chúng diễn tả ý khẩn cấp,
quan trọng như các động từ, tính từ: advice, demand, directive, intention, order,
proposal, recommendation, request, suggestion, wish, a good idea.
Form: One’s + N + be + that, There + be + N + (from Sb) + that, It + be + N + that
E.g. - My advice is that the company invest in new equipment.
- His deep wish is that his daughter go to university.
- It would be a good idea that he not be lazy.
- There is suggestion from the doctor that the patient stop smoking.
- It is recommendation that the vehicle owner be present at the court

SUBJUNCTIVE AND UNREAL TENSES TRANSFORMATION (2)

Subjunctive Structures: Would rather/Would sooner/Would prefer
- To understand some Unreal structures after like Would rather, Would sooner and
Would prefer … and do sentence related transformation exercises.
1. Would rather (=> more common)/ Would sooner:
Form 1: One’s preference:
S + would rather/ would sooner + (not) + V(bare) + {than + V(bare)}
E.g. - I’d rather/ I’d sooner listen to English music (than learn English)
 - I’d rather/I’d sooner not do so much homework.
Form 2: One’s preference contrary to the past:
S + would rather + (not) + have + V(P2)
E.g. - I’d rather not have gone to school yesterday.
Form 3: Wish or Polite request: want someone else to do St at the present:
S1 + Would rather + S2 + V(past)/Were (+ V.ing)
E.g. - I’d rather you did not smoke here./ I’d rather you were not smoking here.
- I’d rather he were not making so much noise.
- I’d rather it were spring now.
Form 4: Past wish: want someone else to do St contrary to the past:
S1 + Would rather + S2 + had + (not) + V(P2)
E.g. - I’d rather he had not been so violent to her last night.
- We would rather you had called last night.
2. Would rather and (would) prefer:
Form 1: S + Would prefer + Sb + To Infinitive  S + Would rather + Sb(S2) +
V(past)
E.g. - They would prefer me not do smoke here. => They would rather I did not smoke
here.
- I would prefer you to leave now. => I would rather you left now.
Form 2: S + prefer + St + to St  S + Would rather + St + than + St
E.g. I prefer flowers to candies => I would rather flowers than candies.
Form 3: S + prefer + V.ing + to + V.ing  S + Would rather + V(bare) + than +
V(bare)
E.g. I prefer going out to staying at home. => I would rather go out than stay at home.

SUBJUNCTIVE AND UNREAL TENSES TRANSFORMATION (3ubjunctive

Structures: As if/ As though – cứ như, như thể, dường như, có vẻ như
- To understand some Unreal structures after like As if/ As though … and do sentence
related transformation exercises.
1. Real Present Situation: S + V + as if/as though + S + V(present tenses)
E.g. - It looks as if he is running from a fierce dog. (situation)
- He looks as if he has finished the test.
2. Unreal Present Situation: S + V + as if/as though + S + V(past)/Were/(Were +
V.ing)
E.g. - He acts as though he were rich.
- I feel as if I were flying now.
- He talks as if he knew everything about the world.
3. Unreal Past Situation: S + V + as if/as though + S + V
(past perfect or past perfect continuous)
E.g. - He looked as though he had seen a ghost last night. (He didn’t see a ghost.)
- She acted as if she had seen him before.
- He grinned as though he’d been drinking for hours. (He hasn’t been drinking for hours.)

SUBJUNCTIVE AND UNREAL TENSES TRANSFORMATION (4)

Subjunctive Structures: It’s time/ It’s high time/ It’s about time – đã đến lúc …
- To understand the structure after It’s high/about time … and do sentence related
transformation exercises.
*. Present Advice or necessity: It’s (high/about time) + (that) + S +
V(past)/Were/(Were + V.ing)
E.g. - It’s time we left/were leaving now.

SUBJUNCTIVE AND UNREAL TENSES TRANSFORMATION (5)

Subjunctive Structures: Wish/ If only
- To understand the structure after Wish/If only … and do sentence related
transformation exercises.
I. General Forms
1. Unreal Present Wishes:S + Wish(es) + (that) + S + V(past)/Were/(Were + V.ing)
E.g. - I wish I had enough money now. - She wishes she were a millionaire.
2. Unreal Past Wishes: S + Wish(es) + (that) + S + V(past perfect)
S + Wish(es) + (that) + S + Would/Could + have + V(P2)
E.g. - I wish I had gone to her birthday party last week.
- He wishes he could have passed his exam last year.
3. Future Wishes: S + Wish(es) + (that) + S + Would/Could + V(bare)
E.g. - I wish I would/could attend her wedding next week.
*. Cấu trúc trên đây với would còn được sử dụng để chỉ sự phàn nàn về thói quen gây
phiền phức của người khác:
S + Wish(es) + (that) + S + Would + V(bare)
E.g. - I wish you wouldn’t talk so much in class.
- I wish you wouldn’t complain all the time.
*. Note: I wish = If only
II. Transformation Patterns
1. Sorry + Past Clause  Wish (often Unreal Past Wishes => I.2)
E.g. - I am sorry I forgot your birthday. => I wish I hadn’t forgotten your birthday.
2. Regret + (not) + V.ing  Wish (often Unreal Past Wishes => I.2)
E.g. - I regret not inviting Cathy to the party. ONLY => If only I had invited
Cathy to the party.
3. Want/ Would like + To Infinitive  Wish (Unreal Present Wishes (I.2) or Future
Wishes (II.3 => not often))
E.g. - I want the baby to stop crying. => I wish … the baby stopped crying/ didn’t
cry.
 - John would like to be an astronaut when he grows up. => John wishes he would
be an astronaut when he grows/grew up.
- You are too lazy. The teacher wants you to be more studious. => The teacher
wishes you were more studious.
- My parents want me to be a doctor in the future. => My parents wish I would be
a doctor in the future.
4. Pity/Shame/Mistake  Wish (often Unreal Past Wishes => I.2 or Unreal Present
Wishes => I.1)
Common forms: It’s a pity/a shame/a mistake + (that) + clause
What a pity/a shame/a mistake + (that) + clause
*. Hai cấu trúc trên dùng để diễn tả ước muốn ở hiện tại hay quá khứ phụ thuộc vào thì
của mệnh đề sau that.
E.g. - It’s a pity that you were not here last week. => If only you had been here last
week.
- It’s a pity the car is so expensive. => I wish the car were not so expensive.

PRACTICE (Chuyên đề 5)
EX1: Rewrite the following sentences
1. “Let’s go for a walk in the park” said Andrew.
=> Andrew suggested that …………………………………………………………………
2. The doctor advised me to rest.
=> The doctor suggested …………………………………………………………………..
3."Why don't you take a holiday?", said Simon. suggested
=> Simon ………………………………………………………………….…… a holiday.
4. She demands that the garden should be weeded now. (insistent)
=> ………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. We really must discuss this again.
=> It’s important that ………………………………………………………………………
6. May the President live a long time!
=> Long …………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Someone has suggested abolishing income tax.
=> It
…………………………………………………………………………………………
8. The students demanded the abolition of the regulation. (BE)
=>
……………………………………………………………………………………………
9. I would prefer you to deliver the sofa on Friday.
=> I would rather
……………………………………………………………………………
10. He would prefer you to pay him immediately.
=> He’d rather
……………………………………………………………………………….

EX2: Rewrite the following sentences

1. I prefer Vietnamese food to English food.
=> I’d ………………………………………………………………………
2. I prefer beer to wine.
=> I’d ………………………………………………………………………
3. The children prefer toys to books.
=> The children would …………………………………………………….
6. He prefers swimming to walking.
=> He’d …………………………………………………………………….
7. She prefers coffee to tea.
=> She’d ……………………………………………………………………
8. I prefer his earlier paintings to later ones.
=> I’d ………………………………………………………………………
9. No, please don’t tell him.
=> I’d prefer … …………………………………………………………….
10. I would prefer you not to tell her the truth.
=> I’d ……………………………………………………………………….

EX3: Rewrite the following sentences

1. She would prefer to share a house with other students rather than live with her parents.
=> She’d rather ……………………………………………………………………
2. I don’t really want to visit the museum.
=> I’d rather ……………………………………………………………………….
3. My parents think I should go to university rather than start a job immediately.
=> My parents would prefer ………………………………………………………
4. I wish I hadn’t heard that.
=> I’d rather you ………………………………………………………………..…
5. Is it better for me to leave?
=> Would you ……………………………………………………………………..
6. Jack prefers me not to say anything about the missing money.
=> Jack would rather ………………………………………………………………
7. I'd prefer you to get home early tonight. RATHER
=> I ....................................................... home early tonight.
8. It will be better for you to come alone. SOONER
=> I would ...................................................... on your own.
9. We’d prefer you not to smoke.
=> We’d rather ……………………………………………..
10. Mauro says he prefers to do his homework on his own. RATHER
=> Mauro says that ……………………….. do his homework with other people.
EX4: Rewrite the following sentences
1. I had a feeling that I was talking in the air.
=> I felt as though ……………………………………………..
2. He spent his money like a prince.
=> He spent his money as if …………………………………..
3. She made up like an actress.
=> She made up as if …………………………………………..
4. She cried like a baby.
=> She cried as though ………………………………………..
5. Mary dresses up like a queen.
=> Mary dresses up as if ………………………………………
6. My head seems to be on fire now.
=> I feel as if …………………………………………………..
7. You speak like a prophet.
=> You speak as though ……………………………………….
8. They talk like kings.
=> They talk as if ……………………………………………..
9. Mary dresses up like a queen.
=> Mary dresses up as if ………………………………………
10. I’m over 16 but my parents sometime treat me as though …

EX5: Rewrite the following sentences

1. He laughs. Perhaps he has done the exam successfully.
=> He laughs as if …………………………………………………
2. The house seemed to have been unoccupied for several months.
=> It looked …………………………………………………………
3. He seemed to have been unemployed for years.
=> He looked ………………………………………………………..
4. He behaves like my father. (if)
=> He acts …………………………………………………………...
5. He behaves like the President of the company. THOUGH
=> He acts ....................................................... the President of the company.
6. He laughs. Perhaps he has done the test well.
=> He laughs as if ……………………………………………….…
7. The tower seemed to have been built for several centuries.
=> It looked ………………………………………………………….
8. Judging by their behaviour, they are a married couple. (as if)
=> They ………………………………………………………………
9. You really should do something about that broken stone in the path.
=> It’s time you ………………………………………………………
10. You really should be able to dress yourself by now!
=> It’s high ……………………………………………………………

EX6: Rewrite the following sentences

1. Carlos really should get someone to mend his bike. (HIGH)
=> It’s ……………………………….…………… his bike mended.
2. The train is due now. time
=> It ………………………….………..…………………… arrived.
3. I think we should go home now. time
=> It ……………………………………………………… home now.
4. I think taxes should be increased. TIME
=> It .................................................................................... increased.
5. Shouldn’t she be going home now?
=> Isn’t it ……………………………………………………………?
6. I’m sorry I didn’t buy a bicycle earlier.
=> I wish …………………………………………………………..…
7. I’m sorry that I didn’t finish my homework last night.
=> I wish ……………………………………………………………..
8. Jack didn’t play well in the match yesterday.
=> He wishes ………………………………………………………...
9. I’m sorry I missed your birthday party.
=> I wish ……………………………………………………………..
10. Roger was sorry he ate that salad. => Roger wished ………………………………….
EX7: Rewrite the following sentences
1. He’s sorry he can’t speak English perfectly.
=> He wishes ………………………………………………………..
2. I’m sorry now that I asked her to stay.
=> Now I wish ……………………………………………………....
3. Robert is sorry now that he didn’t accept the job.
=> Robert now wishes ………………………………………………
4. I bet they wish they had never started that fire. sorry
=> I bet they ………………………………………………. that fire.
5. I am sorry I forgot your birthday. wish
=> I ………………………………………..……..…. your birthday.
6. Maria did not apply for the job in the library and regrets it now.
=> Maria wishes ………………………………………………………
7. Henry regretted buying the second-hand car.
=> Henry wished ……………………………………………………..
8. Do you ever regret not going to university? (wish)
=> …………………………………………………………………….
9. Everyone wished they had listened more carefully to the lecture.
=> Everyone regretted ………………………………………………..
10. Gail wished she had followed David’s suggestions about preparing for the interview.
(doing) => Gail regretted ………………………………. about preparing for the
interview.
EX8: Rewrite the following sentences
1. I wish I could have finished my biology project on time. (ABLE)
=> I regret not ………………….. my biology project finished on time.
2. If only I had warned them in time. regret
=> I really ………………………..……….…………………… in time.
3. I regret taking up smoking. wish
=> I....................................................................................... up smoking.
4. Angela regrets not seeing that film. wishes
=> Angela ……………………………….…………………… that film.
5. I regret that I gave him the money. lent
=> If only ………………………………………………. him the money.
6. I regret not getting married. wish
=> I ……………………………………….……………….…… married.
7. He really regretted having taken the car out of the garage.
=> He wished ……………………………………………………………
8. I wish I could have finished my biology project on time. (ABLE)
=> I regret not …………………….. my biology project finished on time.
9. I regret not inviting Cathy to the party. ONLY
=> If …………………..................................................................... Cathy.
10. I would like the school holidays to be longer.
=> I wish ………………………………………………………………….
EX9: Rewrite the following sentences
1. It is not a movie star. She would like to be a movie star now.
=> She wishes she ………………………………………………………..
2. It’s a pity he didn’t take his doctor’s advice.
=> He wishes …………………………………………………………..…
3. I’d like to have more time to study, but I haven’t.
=> I wish … . …………………………………………………………….
4. I wish I could play tennis really well.
=> I’d like ………………………………………………………………..
5. I’d love to be able to go with you to the opera. (wish)
=> …………………………………………………………………………
6. It would be nice to be able to fly.
=> I wish ……………………………………………………………….…
7. He just won't stop ringing me to tell me about it.
=> I wish ………………………………………………………………….
8. I’d like Kevin to stop telling me what to do! WISH
=> I ………………………………….…………… telling me what to do!
9. I'd love to know how John is getting on. KNEW
=> I .................................................................... how John was getting on.
10. What a pity you failed your driving test.
=> I wish ………………………………………………………………….

EX10: Rewrite the following sentences

1. It’s a pity it’s too late to do anything about it. => I wish there ………………
2. I wish I hadn’t sold that old painting. (pity) => ………………………….…
3. It’s a pity I can’t borrow your car.
=> I wish you would ……………………………………………………………..
4. It’s a pity you were driving so fast.
=> I wish you …..…………………………………………………………………
5. It is a shame he had to leave before the end of the show.
=> I wish ………..………………………………………………………………..
6. I wish people had taken their advice. pity
=> It’s a ………………………………………….………………... their advice.
7. Why do you have to complain all the time? (wish) => ………………………
8. Unfortunately I’ve got to work late tonigh. => I wish ……………..…………
9. I should very much like to play the guitar. Wish => I …….… play the guitar.
10. What a pity I don’t know how to dance. Wish => I …………. how to dance.
11. It was a mistake for me not to apply for the job. WISH => I …….. for the job.
12. What a shame he wasn't able to come. wish => I wish ………… come.
13. It was a pity nobody voted in favour of our party. => I wished ……….
14. It’s a pity you didn’t ask us to spend the time with you.=> If only ……………
15. It's a pity the car is so expensive. WISH => I …….............. so expensive.