CURS DE ENGLEZA IN 900 DE PASI - The Subjonctive

323. Modul subjonctiv (sau conjunctiv) exista si in engleza si in romana:
In engleza moderna modul subjonctiv nu este folosit mult.

Sa fiu eu acolo, acest lucru nu s-ar intampla - If I were there this would not happen
Sa fi fost eu acolo, acest lucru nu s-ar fi intamplat. - Had I been there this would not have happened
Sa fiu este subjonctivul prezent al lui a fi.
Sa fi fost este subjonctivul trecut al lui a fi.

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324. Subjonctivul prezent cere that in propozitia secundara. Subjonctivul prezent in engleza pune la toate persoanele verbul la infinitiv.

It is required that he pass the exam - Se cere ca el sa ia examenul
si
It was required that he pass the exam - Se cerea ca el sa ia examenul
desi prezentul este
he passes the exam

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325. Zicem insa

Everyone knows that he passes exams Toata lumea stie ca el ia examenele

Deci limba romana ne ajuta in acest caz deoarece pe romaneste e mai clar ca in cazul doi nu folosim subjonctivul.

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326. Subjonctivul prezent in englezeste exprima dorinte sau cerinte prezente sau trecute.

I want that you come at 6 o'clock - Vreau ca tu sa vii la 6.
I would like that you come at 6 o'clock. - Mi-ar placea ca tu sa vii la ora sase.
Mult mai normal era insa
I would like you to come at six o'clock (Mi-ar placea tu a veni la 6.)

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327. Subjonctivul trecut nu se deosebeste ca forma de past tense in majoritatea cazurilor, insa el exprima prezentul.

El foloseste fie if - daca fie to wish.
Folosirea acestui subjonctiv urmeaza regula nr2 din if clause

If I owned a car, I would leave tommorow.- Sa am o masina as pleca maine.
pe romaneste insa se zice mai mult
Daca as avea o masina as pleca maine
ceea ce e si mai direct de tradus.

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328. Subjonctivul trecut urmeaza si exceptia regulii nr2 din if clause

If I were a singer I would sing all day - Daca as fi cantaret as canta toata ziua.
in ziua de azi insa veti auzi de multe ori:
If I was a singer - Daca as fi cantaret

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329. Un alt caz pentru subjonctivul trecut este atunci cand se foloseste verbul to wish - a dori in principala

I wish you were here - As vrea sa fii aici
I wish he were here - As vrea sa fie aici
dar se spune si
I wish he was here - As vrea sa fie aici
I wish I was a millionaire - As vrea sa fiu milionar.

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330. Subjonctivul mai mult ca perfect exprima cu adevarat un timp trecut
. El foloseste Past Perfect

Sa ma fi dus ieri, cumparam bilete la spectacol. - If I had gone yesteday, I would've bought tickets to the show

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331. Subjonctivul mai mult ca perfect se poate exprima si omitand if si inversand locul pronumelui (subiectului) cu verbul auxiliar had

Sa ma fi dus ieri, cumparam bilete la spectacol. - Had I gone yesteday, I would've bought tickets to the show
Had Farmer Jones known, he would've harvested sooner. - Sa fi stiut Fermierul Jones, ar fi recoltat mai devreme.

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332. Subjonctivul viitor se formeza astfel:

If I were to pass the exam I would be ecstatic - Sa trec examenul as fi in culmea fericirii.

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333. In englezeste am vazut ca subjonctivul se foloseste daca verbul din principala exprima o dorinta sau o cerere.

Insa constructia cu conjunctia that intre propozitii apare in multe alte situatii
In aceste situatii regulile pentru subjonctiv nu sunt valabile

Subjonctiv
I wish (that) he pass the class - Imi doresc ca el sa treaca clasa
I wish (that) he were more determined - Mi-as dori sa fie mai hotarat

Nu contine subjonctiv
I see (that) he studies nowadays - Vad ca el studiaza zilele astea
I think (that) in the past he was lazy - Cred ca in trecut era lenes

Exercitii cu modul subjonctiv

1. Transformati urmatoarele propozitii, astfel incât sa inceapa cu I wish + Past Tense (afirmativ sau negativ):

    Model:

    I am sorry/I regret the weather isn't fine.
    I wish the weather were fine.

1. I am sorry my friend is ill.
2. I am sorry I don't live in Bucharest.
3. I regret I am not a student.
4. I regret I can't go to the concert.
5. I am sorry I can't play the piano.
6. I am sorry you live so far away.
7. I regret I have only one child.
8. I regret I have no children.
9. I am sorry books are so expensive.
10. I am sorry it rains so often.

1. Transformati urmatoarele propozitii, astfel incât sa inceapa cu I wish + Past Perfect (afirmativ sau negativ):

    Model:

    I am sorry I lost my umbrella.
    I wish I hadn't lost my umbrella.

1. I am sorry you had an accident.
2. I was sorry you were out when I called.
3. I regretted the weather was bad when I was on holiday.
4. I regretted you couldn't come to me yesterday.
5. I am sorry you were delayed at the office.
6. I am sorry I was late for the party.
7. I regret you didn't win the competition.
8. I am sorry I had no money to buy that painting.
9. I was sorry you had got a fine.
10. I am sorry I didn't win the Great Prize.

1. Transformati urmatoarele propozitii, astfel incât sa inceapa cu I wish + would + infinitiv scurt:

    Model:

    I am sorry he will not take my advice.
    I wish he would take my advice.

1. I regret you won't come on holiday with me.
2. I am sorry he won't accept my proposal.
3. I regret I won't spend my holiday in England.
4. I am sorry he will be away for such a long time.
5. I am sorry they will not sign the contract.
6. I regret he will stay in hospital so long.
7. I am sorry you won't take a driving licence.
8. I am sorry I will get fat when giving up smoking.
9. I regret I won't be able to read Goethe in the original.
10. I regret I won't have a phone in my new flat.

1. Puneti verbele din paranteze la forma corecta de subjonctiv:

1. You behave as if you (own) the place.
2. Don't treat me as if I (be) a child.
3. I would rather you (not waste) your time!
4. I am cold, I would rather you (close) that window.
5. It is high time you (start) studying for your exam.
6. It's time we (go) home.
7. I'd rather I (stay) at home and (watch) TV.
8. If only I (be) in Italy now!
9. I wish I (enter) the faculty last year.
10. If only my telephone (work)!
11. I wish I (not catch) a cold on the trip yesterday.
12. He wishes he (have) a good English teacher in the next academic year.
13. I would marry you even if you (be) a pauper.
14. I would rather he (tell) me the truth.
15. He would rather his daughter (not get married) so young.
16. It's high time he (take) a job and (stop) living on his parents.
17. If only I (not forget) his phone number!
18. He wishes his book (become) a best-seller!
19. If only I (become) a millionaire.
20. It's time I (get) a promotion!

    5. Traduceti in limba engleza folosind subjonctivul cu forma de Past Tense sau Past Perfect:

1. Bine ar fi sa nu fi facut atâtea greseli la lucrarea de control.
2. Mi-as dori sa incetezi cu zgomotul acela chiar in acest moment.
3. Mi-as dori sa incetezi sa te mai vaicaresti pentru ca am si eu necazurile mele.
4. Bine ar fi sa fii mai ordonata!
5. Ce pacat ca ploua! Daca n-ar ploua, am putea merge la plaja!
6. Ti-ai dori sa fi fost invitata la petrecerea lui John?
7. Ce pacat ca nu mai sunt tânar!
8. As prefera sa te scoli mai devreme.
9. As prefera sa ma scol mai devreme.
10. As prefera sa mergi la teatru.
11. As prefera sa merg la teatru.
12. E timpul sa-mi inapoiezi banii pe care ti I-am imprumutat.
13. Era demult timpul sa incepi sa citesti cartile cerute pentru examenul de literatura româna.
14. E ora 10! Nu crezi ca era demult timpul sa te scoli si sa te apuci de lucru?
15. Ea arata de parca ar fi manechin.
16. Vorbesti ca si cum ai fi suparata pe mine.
17. Ea se poarta cu el de parca ar fi sotul ei.
18. El mi-a vorbit ca si cum nu se intâmplase nimic intre noi.
19. Jane si-ar dori sa-mi petrec sfârsitul de saptamâna cu ea.
20. Stiu ca tu ti-ai dori sa-ti petreci vacanta intr-o tabara, dar eu prefer sa mergi la bunicul, la tara.

    6. Traduceti in limba engleza folosind subjonctivul cu forma de infinitiv sau echivalentul de sobjonctiv should + infinitivul prezent sau trecut:

1. Este imposibil ca el sa se intoarca atât de devreme.
2. Este imposibil ca el sa se fi intors atât de devreme.
3. Este important ca tu sa stii engleza bine.
4. Este necesar sa fii informat despre ce se intâmpla in tara.
5. Era ciudat ca el sa nu fi citit aceasta carte.
6. Este enervant ca tu sa fi uitat sa-mi aduci cartea inapoi.
7. Este probabil ca fiul meu sa fi luat examenul.
8. Este foarte important ca acest contract sa fie semnat foarte curând.
9. Vrei sa spui ca este probabil sa ne petrecem concediul in Bucuresti?
10. Este necesar sa fiu prezent la aceasta sedinta?

    7. Traduceti in limba engleza folosind subjonctivul cu forma de infinitiv sau echivalentul de subjonctiv should + infinitivul prezent:

1. Mama a hotarât ca noi sa stam acasa.
2. Profesorul sugereaza ca noi sa citim aceasta carte.
3. Directorul a cerut ca toata lumea sa fie prezenta la ora 8.
4. Prietenul meu a insistat sa merg cu el la concert.
5. Directorul a propus ca eu sa lucrez in alt sector.
6. El a sugerat ca noi sa cumparam aceasta casa.
7. Insist ca tu sa accepti aceasta slujba.
8. Am sugerat sa-l alegem presedinte.

    8. Traduceti in limba engleza folosind subjonctivul cu forma de infinitiv sau echivalentul de subjonctiv may sau might + infinitivul prezent:

1. El a intrat in casa fara zgomot, astfel incât sa nu-l aud eu.
2. Da-te la o parte ca sa vad (astfel incât sa pot vedea) ecranul.
3. Vorbeste mai tare ca sa te aud (asfel incât sa te pot auzi).
4. Orice mi-ai spune, nu te pot crede.
5. Oricât te-ai stradui, nu poti câstiga un astfel de concurs.
6. Oricând te vei intoarce, eu voi fi acasa si te voi astepta.
7. Oricine ti-ar fi spus asta despre mine, nu ar fi trebuit sa crezi.
8. Am facut un imprumut ca sa (astfel incât sa) pot sa-mi cumpar casa.
9. Este posibil ca ea sa fie plecata din oras.
10. Oricare ar fi motivul, nu ar trebui sa ma minti.

1. Inlocuiti infinitivele din paranteze cu unul dintre tipurile de subjonctiv sau cu un echivalent de subjonctiv:

1. I closed the window so that it (not get) too cold.
2. I closed the window lest (get) too cold.
3. It is desirable that they (divorce) immediately.
4. It is impossible that my sister (tell) this to you yesterday.
5. No matter how/however absent - minded you (be), you should remember your own phone number.
6. I propose that we (leave) by the 9 o'clock train.
7. I wish my car (not break down) last week.
8. He throws money away as if he (be) a rich man.
9. She speaks about her son as if he (be) a genius.
10. I'd rather you (retire) as soon as possible.
11. It is strange that she (leave) the lights on when she left the town.
12. I have to work hard so that my company (prosper).
13. The road is wet; drive carefully lest you (have) an accident.
14. I've told you everything so that you (understand) my position.
15. I suggested that we (take) a taxi.
16. The doctor recommended that the patient (have) an operation.
17. All success (attend) you!
18. I wish I (be) there when it happened.
19. I have such a boring job; I wish I (find) another.
20. If only I (have) a brother or a sister!

Learn English Through Story ● A Dream Come True - Andrea M. Hutchinson -- Elementary Level

 Dossier Yorkshire http://www.dracula-in-whitby.com/dracula-and-whitby.html http://www.bronte-country.com Internet Project links page 37 http://www.yorkshire-dales.com/views.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/uncovered/ghost/most_haunted.shtml http://whc.unesco.org/en/list Internet Project links pages 86-87 www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/6231306.stm

audio stories for children

Differences in American and British English grammar - article

An article by Kerry Maxwell and Lindsay Clandfield on recognizing grammatical differences between American and British English.

Introduction 1. Verb agreement with collective nouns 2. Use of delexical verbs have and take 3. Use of auxiliaries and modals 4. Use of prepositions 5. Past tense forms 6. Implications for teaching

Introduction

Speakers of American English generally use the present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) far less than speakers of British English. In spoken American English it is very common to use the simple past tense as an alternative in situations where the present perfect would usually have been used in British English. The two situations where this is especially likely are:

(i) In sentences which talk about an action in the past that has an effect in the present:

American English / British English 

• Jenny feels ill. She ate too much. 
• Jenny feels ill. She's eaten too much. 
• I can't find my keys. Did you see them anywhere?
• I can't find my keys. Have you seen them anywhere?

(ii) In sentences which contain the words already, just or yet:

American English / British English 

• A: Are they going to the show tonight?
• B: No. They already saw it.
• A: Are they going to the show tonight?
• B: No. They've already seen it.
• A: Is Samantha here?
• B: No, she just left.
• A: Is Samantha here?
• B: No, she's just left.
• A: Can I borrow your book?
• B: No, I didn't read it yet.
• A: Can I borrow your book?
• B: No, I haven't read it yet. 

1. Verb agreement with collective nouns

In British English collective nouns, (i.e. nouns referring to particular groups of people or things), (e.g. staff , government, class, team) can be followed by a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is thought of as one idea, or as many individuals, e.g.:

My team is winning.

The other team are all sitting down.

In American English collective nouns are always followed by a singular verb, so an American would usually say:

Which team is losing?

whereas in British English both plural and singular forms of the verb are possible, as in:

Which team is/are losing?

2. Use of delexical verbs have and take

In British English, the verb have frequently functions as what is technically referred to as a delexical verb, i.e. it is used in contexts where it has very little meaning in itself but occurs with an object noun which describes an action, e.g.:

I'd like to have a bath.

Have is frequently used in this way with nouns referring to common activities such as washing or resting, e.g.:

She's having a little nap.

I'll just have a quick shower before we go out.
In American English, the verb take, rather than have, is used in these contexts, e.g.:

Joe's taking a shower.

I'd like to take a bath.

Let's take a short vacation.

Why don't you take a rest now?

3. Use of auxiliaries and modals

In British English, the auxiliary do is often used as a substitute for a verb when replying to a question, e.g.:

• A: Are you coming with us?
• B: I might do.

In American English, do is not used in this way, e.g.:

• A: Are you coming with us?
• B: I might.

In British English needn't is often used instead of don't need to, e.g.:

They needn't come to school today.

They don't need to come to school today.

In American English needn't is very unusual and the usual form is don't need to, i.e.:

They don't need to come to school today.

In British English, shall is sometimes used as an alternative to will to talk about the future, e.g.:

I shall/will be there later.

In American English, shall is unusual and will is normally used.

In British English shall I / we is often used to ask for advice or an opinion, e.g.:

Shall we ask him to come with us?

In American English should is often used instead of shall, i.e.:

Should we ask him to come with us?

4. Use of prepositions

In British English, at is used with many time expressions, e.g.:

at Christmas/five 'o' clock

at the weekend

In American English, on is always used when talking about the weekend, not at, e.g.:

Will they still be there on the weekend?

She'll be coming home on weekends.

In British English, at is often used when talking about universities or other institutions, e.g.:

She studied chemistry at university.

In American English, in is often used, e.g.:

She studied French in high school.

In British English, to and from are used with the adjective different, e.g.:

This place is different from/to anything I've seen before.

In American English from and than are used with different, e.g.:

This place is different from/than anything I've seen before.

In British English to is always used after the verb write, e.g.:

I promised to write to her every day.

In American English, to can be omitted after write, i.e.:

I promised to write her every day.

5. Past tense forms

Below is a table showing verbs which have different simple past and past participle forms in American and British English. Note that the irregular past forms burnt, dreamt and spoilt are possible in American English, but less common than the forms ending in -ed.

Infinitive	Simple past (Br)	Simple past (Am)	Past participle (Br)	Past participle (Am)
burn	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt	burned/ burnt
bust	bust	busted	bust	busted
dive	dived	dove/ dived	dived	dived
dream	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt	dreamed/ dreamt
get	got	got	got	gotten
lean	leaned/ leant	leaned	leaned/ leant	leaned
learn	learned/ learnt	learned	learned/ learnt	learned
plead	pleaded	pleaded/ pled	pleaded	pleaded/ pled
prove	proved	proved	proved	proved/ proven
saw	sawed	sawed	sawn	sawn/ sawed
smell	smelled/ smelt	smelled	smelled/ smelt	smelled
spill	spilled/ spilt	spilled	spilled/ spilt	spilled
spoil	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt	spoiled/ spoilt
stink	stank	stank/ stunk	stunk	stunk
wake	woke	woke/ waked	woken	woken

Note that have got is possible in American English, but is used with the meaning 'have', gotten is the usual past participle of get, e.g. 

American English	British English
You've got two brothers (= you have two brothers)	You've got two brothers
You've gotten taller this year	You've got taller this year

6. Implications for teaching

The two major varieties of English

The two varieties of English most widely found in print and taught around the world are British and American - it is therefore important for teachers to be aware of the major differences between the two. And while lexical differences are the easiest ones to notice, a knowledge of grammatical and phonological differences can be useful not only for teachers to be aware of, but also to be able to deal with should they come up in class.

Which is better?

An important point to make is that different doesn’t mean wrong. Comments such as “American English is inferior to British English”, or “American English is better than British English” have no solid basis other than the speaker’s opinion. The truth is that no language or regional variety of language is inherently better or worse than another. They are just different. Students will often have very firm beliefs on which English they think is better/easier to understand/clearer etc. While it may be true for that particular individual, there is no evidence to suggest that one variety is easier to learn or understand than the other.

Materials and varieties

If you are an American English speaker teaching with a British coursebook or vice versa, what do you say when the book is different from your English? The answer here is to point out the difference. The differences are not so numerous as to overload the students and often can be easily dealt with. For example, if you are an American English speaker using a lesson that has just included “at the weekend” it takes very little time to point out that in American English people say “on the weekend”. Accept either from your students then. If you decide to go along with the book and say “at the weekend” yourself, you’ll probably sound unnatural, and “on the weekend” might slip out anyway!

Exams and essay writing

In most international exams, both varieties of English are accepted. However, while writing for an international exam (or writing in English generally) students should try to remain consistent. That means if they favour (or favor) American spelling and grammar, they should stick to that convention for the whole piece of writing.

What role do other varieties of English have in the classroom?

Although British and American varieties are the most documented, there are of course many other varieties of English. Scotland, Ireland, South Asia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, West Africa, the Caribbean, South Africa all have their own regional variations of English. The decision whether or not to highlight aspects of these Englishes would depend on two factors:

if the students are going to live, or are already living, in one of these places - in which case the need to understand specific aspects of that English is clear; or
if the teacher is from one of those places and therefore speaks a regional variation of English. In this case it could be useful to occasionally point out differences between your English and that of your Anchor Point:bottomcoursebook (see point 3 above about using your own variety).

Related resources

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