Difficulties in Rendering the Forms Expressing Unreality

Forms expressing unreality, which are traditionally called the "Subjunctive Mood" or "Oblique Moods", indicate that the action is considered to be unreal, unlikely, problematic, hypothetical, desirable, recommended, etc. While finding options for these verb-forms interpreters have to observe the following recommendations:

1. make yourself sure that the speaker has really used the subjunctive mood form and not the clause of a real condition, i.e. distinguish between If it does not rain, we will go to the beach (Якщо не буде дощу, то мипідемо на пляж) and If it did not rain, we would go to the beach (Якщо б не було дощу, ми пішли б на пляж);

2. remember that forms of the be, speak, go, etc., type after predicates expressing order, proposal, request, arrangement, recommendation are quite common both in American and in British English, e.g. It is necessary that he speak at the conference – Йому необхідно виступити на конференції (an alternative variant is should speak); It is important that these reforms be strengthened – Необхідно закріпити ці реформи;

3. always be alert if the speaker uses contracted (shortened) forms of the mood auxiliaries, especially with the perfect forms of the verb which refer to an action in the past - failure to perceive these forms may cause serious problems in interpreting messages, e.g. If I'd been (for had been) present in Strasbourg last month, I'd have spoken (for would have spoken) to Lord Judd – Якщо б я був у Страсбурзі минулого місяця, то я б мав розмову з лордом Джаддом;

4. always be ready to render pat phrases with the Subjunctive I of the type: От, якби завжди було так!- Oh, if only it were so forever!; Нехай буде так! - Let it be!; Хай живе мир! - Long live peace!; God forbid! – Борони Боже!, Хай Бог милує!; God damn it!- От бісова душа!