The Suppositional Mood

Exercise 1. Replace the Infinitives in brackets by the present tense of the suppositional mood.

1) It’s highly advisable to my mind that something (to be done) about their pronunciation.
2) It is requested that the late-comers (to take) seats in the gallery.
3) She positively insists that the margins (to be) on the left side of the page.
4) She promised to arrange that mother (to come and sit) with the baby.
5) It was demanded that some kind of school-leaving certificate (to be provided).
6) It was intended that the cross (to take place) on Sunday.
7) At the family gathering it was agreed that she (to be sent) to school.
8) It is of importance that the children (to have) some interest in common.
9) It was finally arranged that the pamphlet (to be delivered) by the postman along with the
morning mail.
10) It was then proposed that no child over twelve (to be admitted).
11) He ordered that nothing (to be touched).
12) It is requested that he (to be able) not only to drive but to do all minor repair jobs.

Exercise 2. Complete the following sentences, using the words in brackets.

1) No one demanded that (the meeting ... to be adjourned).

2) She suggested that (I ... to speak).
3) It’s not advisable that (the child ... to eat).
4) It will be arranged that (she ... to be examined).
5) She has arranged that (the textbooks ... to be bought).
6) It is agreed that (the conference ... to begin).
7) Is it absolutely necessary that (we all ... to come)?
8) Did anyone insist that (measures ... to be taken)?
9) After all she did not suggest that (we ... to do).
10) Is it advisable that (you... to spend)?
11) It wasn’t requested that (you ... to take the examination).
12) Will you please arrange that (the students ... to be supplied).

Exercise 3. Rephrase the following sentences, give several variants in each case.

e.g.: It’s important that he should be present.- I consider it important/I think it necessary/I find it
desirable that he should be present.

1) It is necessary that somebody should interfere.

2) It is highly desirable that you should know all the particulars.
3) It is not important that he should be able to drive.
4) It is not necessary that you should attend the hearing in person.
5) It is desirable that each girl should be able to type and make notes.
6) It is important that you should know each child by his name.
7) It is not necessary that we should give any decisive answer today.
8) It is comparatively unimportant that he should arrive a day before the contest.
9) It is highly desirable that the patients should spend all their waking hours in the park and on
the beach.
10) It is important that nothing should be done until we get a further report of the case.
Exercise 4. Rephrase the following sentences; give two variants in each case.

e.g.: He suggests that we should do it ourselves. - He makes the suggestion/His suggestion is

that we should do it ourselves.

1) I suggest that we should not take any steps until we hear from her.
2) He will only suggest that measures be taken without specifying which.
3) He ordered that the women and children should be taken care of first.
4) They recommended that nothing should be done without the doctor’s advice.
5) She only wished that people should leave her alone.
6) The chairman moved that the question be struck off the agenda.
7) She ruled that no child should come to school unwashed.
8) They arranged that I should spend the summer at aunt Mary’s.
9) They will demand that the agreement be considered void.
10) The doctor strongly recommends that the children should be given cod-liver oil all through
the winter and early spring.

Exercise 5. Complete the following sentences, using the present tense of the suppositional mood.

1) In those letters she repeatedly expressed a wish ...

2) She religiously followed the doctor’s recommendation ...
3) He quite forgot the rule ...
4) I think there is a rule ...
5) Finally we made the arrangement...
6) My only wish is ...
7) I’m sure the arrangement will be ...
8) I’ve heard of no order ...
9) Mother’s rule was ...
10) Can you show me any order ... .
11) Her suggestion is ...
12) The poet’s dying wish was ...
13) At last somebody made a motion ...
14) After several successful experiments we came to the arrangement ...
15) After all we can’t ignore their preposterous demand ...

Exercise 6. Replace the infinitives in brackets by the present tense of the suppositional mood.

1) Please mark the place in the book lest I (to waste) time looking for it.
2) I think we had better take an earlier train lest mother (to worry).
3) The late-comers must take seats in the gallery lest they (to disturb) the others.
4) I’d much rather you did not go out lest the train (to start) and you (to be left) behind.
5) Watch that milk I tell you lest it (to boil) over.
6) I agreed to share his umbrella lest my best hat (to be spoiled).
7) I only asked her lest she (to feel) left out.
8) Everything was kept very hush-hush lest people (to talk).
9) We did not want to talk about it lest something (to happen) to spoil it all.
10) She always kept the jam cupboard locked lest the children (to get) at it.

Exercise 7. Rephrase the sentences below.

e.g.: Do it now, otherwise it will be too late.- Do it now lest it should be too late.

1) Run for it, otherwise we’ll miss the train.

2) Let him do it his own way, otherwise he’ll make a mess of it.
3) Lock the dog in, otherwise he’ll get at the cat.
4) I had to give him my coat, otherwise he would have caught pneumonia.
5) She kept watching the children so as not to lose sight of the little girl.
6) He read and re-read every sentence so as not to miss a single mistake.
7) He turned his head away so as not to let her see him smile.
8) He turned the wireless very low so as not to wake the children.
9) Do it, otherwise you’ll be sorry later.
10) He spoke slowly and clearly so as not to be misunderstood.

Exercise 8. Answer the following questions.

e.g.: Why did you close the window? — Lest the wind should break it, a storm is coming.

1) What do you want to leave her a message for?

2) Why did you write the rule on the blackboard?
3) Why do you give me this plan?
4) Why do you want us to start so early?
5) Why do you make her wear her coat?
6) Why do you want us to sit in the front row?
7) Why do you always make a shopping list before starting?
8) Why do you keep the dog chained?
9) Look at that fat man. Why is he running so?
10) Why do you always pack your son’s bag?

Exercise 9. Complete the following sentences.

1) Open the window lest...

2) Tell him about the meeting lest ...
3) Put down my address lest ...
4) Leave the cat alone lest...
5) Better take a sleeping pill lest…
6) Help her with the dishes lest...
7) Don’t take that short cut lest...
8) Don’t let him eat too many sweets lest...
9) I’ll take my umbrella lest...
10) Don’t tell her anything lest...
11) You may need a torch to explore the cave lest...
12) I’ll leave his supper on the stove lest...
Exercise10. Replace the infinitives in brackets by the present tense of the suppositional mood or
may/might, can/could + infinitive (give two variants where possible).

e.g.: Don’t let the baby play with the cup lest he (to break) it. - Don’t let the baby play with the
cup lest he should break it/so that he may not break it.

I gave him the cup to play with so that he (to be) quiet. - I gave him the cup to play with so that
he might be quiet.

1) I went there yesterday so that I (to see) it myself.

2) He told me the whole story so that I (to explain) to you his behaviour.
3) He adjusted the lamp so that his face (to remain) in shadow.
4) He kept watching the large mirror which faced the entrance so that he (to see) her the moment
she entered.
5) She wound the scarf around her throat lest the damp October wind (to get) at it.
6) She stood here motionless lest she (to frighten) the deer away.
7) And whatever you do tell them nothing lest they (to get in) first.
8) She won’t object anyway lest in doing so she (to give) herself away.
9) Bring him in at once so that I (to see) my only daughter’s son at last.
10) And she put the cage with the canary in his room lest he (to feel) lonely.
11) They took a short cut across the moor so that they (to be) home for tea.
12) I’ll ask him to take you to the station in his car lest you (to have) to walk all the way.

Exercise 11. Complete the following sentences (give three variants where possible).

e.g.: Let’s start now . ..- ... lest it should grow dark/so that we may (can) catch the train/so that he
may not worry.

1) Show her the way to the station...

2) Pack your clothes at once...
3) Ask her to dinner...
4) I took her for a walk...
5) We carefully packed each priceless cup in cotton-wool...
6) I did all my shopping early in the morning...
We shall ask her advice on the subject...
8) He’ll stay in bed a couple of days longer...
9) I have kept his letter...
10) The doctor told him to go away for a month and stay at some quiet place...

Exercise 12. Replace the infinitives in brackets by the present tense of the suppositional mood to
show that this action took place at the same time with the action in the principal clause, or
followed it. Use the past tense of the suppositional mood to show that this action came first (give
two variants where possible).
e.g.: Strange that he (to think) so.- Strange that he should think so. Strange that he should have
thought so.

1) It was annoying that the corner seats (to be taken) already.

2) Isn’t it strange that this boy (to be) always out when you want him?
3) So it was not in the least curious that he (to behave) the way he did.
4) It’s odd that he (to lose) his way in a place, so familiar to him.
5) It’s nice that you (to think) so.
6) It’s rather characteristic that he (to object).
7) It was not surprising that they (to make) mistakes.
8) It’s practically impossible that a boy of twelve (to do) all this.
9) It’s a shame none (to know) the truth about the accident.
10) Is it possible that the nurse (to confuse) the bottles in the dark?
11) Isn’t it odd that nobody (to see) him leave?
12) It was not surprising that he (to feel) hurt.

Exercise 13. Paraphrase the following statements. Use the suppositional mood.

e.g.: She refused to do it. How strange! - (It is) strange that she should have refused to do it.

She’s fond of music. It’s only natural. She has a good ear for music. - It is only natural that she
should be fond of music. She has a good ear for music.

1) He has left already. How strange! He is usually here at this time.

2) So this is what she thought. It’s very strange.
3) She strongly objects to your plan. Isn’t it annoying?
4) Nobody saw the child on the beach. It’s rather curious.
5) So they have succeeded at last. It’s highly doubtful.
6) She’s ill in bed. Isn’t it a pity? Just when we want her so badly!
7) They have crossed the Atlantic in a small yacht. Is it possible?
8) She speaks English very nicely, and it’s only natural. She’s worked hard enough for it.
9) The child’s hair is quite fair. Isn’t it odd when her eyes are so dark?
10) So she has changed her mind at the last minute. Isn’t it curious?
11) She didn’t believe you. It’s not in the least surprising.
12) She does not want to give up her job. It’s quite understandable.
13) He wants to do everything himself. So characteristic!
14) So the experiment has failed again. How unpleasant!
15) The lake is free of ice the year round. Very doubtful that.
16) A child of ten drew this. It is simply incredible.

Exercise14. Complete the following sentences.

1) When they did not turn up at nine we began to worry lest ...
2) She grew thin, pale and listless. Soon her people began to fear lest ...
3) His first, public appearance was not a success, and his friends were pleased that ...
4) We have been walking for hours, and there is no end to the forest. I’m afraid lest ...
5) On his first operating day the young surgeon was nervous lest ...
6) But at the examination he answered very well indeed. His friends were even a little surprised
that ...
7) When you get there you’ll be pleased that ...
8) I’m not at all surprised that ...
9) You keep looking at your watch. Do you fear lest ...
10) So you went to see her when you were in Leningrad. Was she astonished that..?
Exercise 15. Express apprehension, astonishment, pleasure or displeasure at the statements
given below.

e.g.: He knows nothing about it.- I fear lest he should know nothing about it./ I’m afraid that
he may (might) know nothing about it.

1) There’s something wrong with her heart.

2) They will oversleep.
3) They missed the ten-fifteen.
4) She did not give her consent.
5) She refused to act in the play.
6) I have lost his address.
7) The rain will go on for hours.
8) They did not like the picture.
9) They meant to stay to dinner.
10) It got rather cold in the night.
11) She was not popular with the other students.
12) He is ill.
13) The early frosts will damage the young apple-trees.
14) Some of the china will get broken.
15) Something will happen to spoil it all.
1 6) People noticed her shabby dress and mended gloves.
17) They will think so.
18) They did not return.
19) She saw it in the papers.
20) He ate something that did not agree with him.

Exercise 16. Complete the following sentences, give several variants in each case.

e.g.: She has sometimes expressed a fear that... (lest ...) - ... that she might lose her health/ lest
she should lose her health.

1) The only thing that made her lie awake at night was a certain fear that (lest ...).
2) She had no fear that ... (lest...).
3) Have you never felt a fear that... (lest...)?
4) It was a constant fear that ... (lest...).
5) She expressed no fear that... ( l e s t … ) .
6 ) The only worry she has is that... (lest...).
7) She was urged by a constant worry that... (lest...).
8) There was no anxiety lest... (that ...).
9) You’ll be troubled by a recurrent worry lest ... (that ...).
10) Your only fear will be lest ... (that ...).

Exercise. 17. Make the condition problematic, unlikely to be fulfilled.

e.g.: If he is out, don’t wait. - Should he be out, don’t wait. /If he should be out ...
1) If it rains, we’ll stay the night.
2) If he comes late, he’ll find no one in.
3) If the door is locked, try this key.
4) If nobody answers the bell, try the door to see if it’s locked.
5) If the line’s busy, try phoning her a little later.
6) If she’s out, phone again, don’t leave a message.
7) If she does not answer my letter, I’ll write again.
8) Even if they learn about it, they won’t mind.

Exercise 18. Change the type of condition in the following sentences by making the condition
problematic, unreal in the present or future, unreal in the past (give three variants in each
case).

Real c o n d i t i o n :
If I see her, I’ll be very glad. - Если я увижу ее, я буду очень рад.

Problematic condition:
If I should see her, I’ll be very glad. - Если я все же увижу ее, я буду очень рад.

U n r e a l p resent c o n d i t i o n :
If I saw her, I would be very glad. - Если бы я увидел ее, я был бы очень рад.

U n r e a l past c o n d i t i o n :
If I had seen her, I would have been very glad. - Если бы я ее увидел тогда, я был бы очень
рад.

1) If he is still here, I’ll introduce you.

2) If nobody objects, we’ll discuss it first.
3) If you want to go, it can be arranged.
4) If she refuses to act, we’ll have to take some steps to stop it.
5) If she learns about it, she will be offended.
6) If he is not here by six, I’ll go.
7) If you insist on it, we’ll certainly not stop you.
8) If it starts raining later in the day, we’ll play indoor games.
9) If I am through before you are, I’ll wait for you downstairs.
10) If they like your poems, they’ll publish them.