subjunctive ?

[hela]

Dear teachers,

1) Would you please tell me which sentences (in the following print) are incorrect, and if sentences [1) a)] are in the subjunctive?

2) Is there a difference in meaning between sentences [1) a)] and [2)] ?


ex A: 1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal.

and not: b) “He had not waited until we finished our meal.” ?

2) He did not wait until we finished our meal.


ex B: 1) a) Before we had finished our meal he ordered us back to work.

and not: b) “He had ordered us back to work before we finished our meal. / c) Before we finished our meal he had ordered us back to work.” ?

2) Before we finished our meal, he ordered us back to work.


ex C: 1) a) Before we had walked ten miles he complained of sore feet.

and not: b) “He had complained of sore feet before we walked ten miles. / c) Before we walked ten miles he had complained of sore feet.” ?

2) Before we walked ten miles, he complained of sore feet.


ex D: 1) a) He refused to go until he had seen all the pictures.

and not: b) “He had refused to go until he saw all the pictures. / c) He had not gone until he saw all the pictures.” ?

2) He refused to go until he saw all the pictures.

I hope I've been clear enough, otherwise I'll try again.
Best regards,
Hela

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by hela

Dear teachers,

1) Would you please tell me which sentences (in the following print) are incorrect, and if sentences [1) a)] are in the subjunctive?

2) Is there a difference in meaning between sentences [1) a)] and [2)] ?


ex A: 1) a) He did not wait until we had finished our meal.

and not: b) “He had not waited until we finished our meal.” ?

2) He did not wait until we finished our meal.


ex B: 1) a) Before we had finished our meal he ordered us back to work.

and not: b) “He had ordered us back to work before we finished our meal. / c) Before we finished our meal he had ordered us back to work.” ?

2) Before we finished our meal, he ordered us back to work.


ex C: 1) a) Before we had walked ten miles he complained of sore feet.

and not: b) “He had complained of sore feet before we walked ten miles. / c) Before we walked ten miles he had complained of sore feet.” ?

2) Before we walked ten miles, he complained of sore feet.


ex D: 1) a) He refused to go until he had seen all the pictures.

and not: b) “He had refused to go until he saw all the pictures. / c) He had not gone until he saw all the pictures.” ?

2) He refused to go until he saw all the pictures.

I hope I've been clear enough, otherwise I'll try again.
Best regards,
Hela

I don't see anything subjunctive in those sentences. I read the simple past and the past perfect.

[hela]

Dear teacher,

Thank you for your reply. Could you please tell me then which sentences are correct?

Example: 1) Before we had finished our meal he ordered us back to work.
or 2) Before we finished our meal he had ordered us back to work.” ?

If they are both correct, do they have the same meaning?

Same question concerning all the other examples I gave you.

Thank you for your patience.
Best regards,
Hela

[hela]

Dear teachers,

1) Now I'm getting really confused because somebody told me that "sent" after "It's high time" is not a subjunctive but an indicative.

ex : It is high time we SENT him a registered letter.

What is your opinion?

Is it possible to say "It is high time we SEND him a letter"?


2) what's the difference in meaning between:

a) "It is high time she WAS in bed / WENT to bed" (indicative) &
b) "It is high time she WERE in bed / WENT to bed" (subjunctive) &
c) "It is about time she WAS / WERE in bed." ?

How would I know if a person is using the indicative or the subjunctive in "It's high time you WENT to bed / LEARNT your lesson" ?

Thank you all very much.

See you soon,
Hela

[Tdol]

Use the past form. The only time a question of whether it's subjunctive or indicative arises is with the verb 'be' and their is no clear answer. Just as with the second conditional, some use 'was'and some 'were', so both are fine.

How would I know if a person is using the indicative or the subjunctive in "It's high time you WENT to bed / LEARNT your lesson" ? You wouldn't!