虚拟语气
英语的动词一般可带有三种不同的语气：陈述语气、祈使语
气和虚拟语气。不同的语气用动词的不同形式（有的还借助句法形式）来表示。
1 语气(mood)
语气是动词的一种形式，表示说话人对某一行为或事情的看法和态度。
2 语气的种类
a. 陈述语气：表示动作或状态是现实的、确定的或符合事实的，用于陈述句、疑问句和某些感叹句。如：
People get AIDS after having been infected with HIV.
Her mother did not know that she had AIDS until after Xiaohua was born.
What a brave girl！ 多么勇敢的女孩！
b. 祈使语气：表示说话人对对方的请求或命令。如：
Let me do it. 让我做这件事。
Please keep quiet in the reading room. 请在阅读室保持安静。
c. 虚拟语气：表示动作或状态不是客观存在的事实，而是说话人的主观愿望、假设、怀疑或推测等。虚拟语气主要用于条件从句、让步从句和名词性从句中。如：
If I were a bird, I could fly in the air. 如果我是一只小鸟，我就能在空中飞行。
I wish I were a bird. 但愿我是一只鸟。
She talked to him as though she were his wife. 她跟他说话的方式好像她是他妻子一样。
虚拟语气在条件从句中的用法。
条件从句有两类，一是真实条件句，另一是虚拟条件句。如果假设的情况可能发生，是真实条件句，这种情况下谓语用陈述语气。如：
If time permits, we’ll go fishing together. 如果时间允许，我们就一起去钓鱼。
如果假设的情况是不存在的或不大可能发生的，则是虚拟条件句。如：
If you had come yesterday, you would have met that famous professor. 如果你昨天来，你就会见到那位著名的教授了。（隐含的事实是：你昨天没来，也没见到那位著名教授）。
在含有虚拟条件句的复合句中，主从句的谓语都要用虚拟语气，现将其形式列表如下：
注：主句中的should 只用于第一人称，但在美国英语中，should 常被would 代替；从句中的should 可用于各种人称。
1. 表示与现在事实相反的假设和结果。如：
If I were you, I should (would, could, might) tell him the truth.
如果我是你，我就会告诉他真相了。
If she had time, she would (could, might) help me.
如果她有时间，她就会帮我了。
2. 表示与过去事实相反的假设和结果。如：
If you had come a few minutes earlier, you would have met him.
要是你早来几分钟的话，你就能见到他了。
If you had taken my advice, you wouldn’t (couldn’t) have failed in
the exam.
如果你听了我的建议，你就不会考试不及格。
3 表示与将来事实可能相反的假设和结果。如：
If it were sunny tomorrow, I would come to see you.
明天要是天气好的话，我来看你。(与将来事实可能相反)
---What would happen if I put the paper on the fire? 我要是把
纸放在火上会怎么样？
---It would burn. 纸会烧着。
注：在表示与将来事实可能相反的条件从句中，were to + 动词原形比较正式，常用于书面语中。如：
If I were to do it, I would do it in a different way. 要是我来做这事，我会是另一种做法。
虚拟语气的其它用法
1 虚拟语气在主语从句中的用法。
在“It is important (strange, natural, necessary„) that„”; “It is desired(suggested, decided, requested„) ”和“It is a pity that„，It is one ’s wish that„（某人的意思是„„）”这类句型中，that 所引导的主语从句中的谓语动词常用 “(should)+动词原形”结构，表示惊奇、不相信、惋惜等情绪。如：
It is important that we (should) take good care of the patient. 重要的是我们要照顾好病人。
It is necessary that he (should) be sent to hospital at once. 有必要马上把他送医院。
It is requested that I (should) make a speech at the meeting. 有人请我在会上作一个演讲。
It is desired that he come tonight. 希望他今晚来。
It is suggested that I go there. 有人建议我去那里。
It is a great pity that he should be so proud. 真遗憾他竟会这样骄傲。
It is our wish that he do what he pleases. 我们的意思是他爱怎么样就怎么样。
注：如果主语从句中谓语动词是should have done形式时，should 不可省。
2 虚拟语气在宾语从句中的用法。
（1）在动词wish 后的宾语从句中，表示说话人的愿望，从句通常省略连词that 。
a. 表示对现在情况的虚拟：从句动词用过去式或过去进行式(be的过去式用were )表示。如：
I wish I knew the answer to the question.
我希望知道这个问题的答案。（可惜不知道。）
I wish it were spring in my hometown all the year around.但愿我的家乡四季如春。（只是愿望，实际根本不可能实现。）
b. 表示对过去情况的虚拟：从句动词用 had+过去分词。如： He wished he hadn't done it. 他想要是他没这样做该多好。（实际上已经做了。）
He wishes (wished) he hadn’t lost the chance. 他真希望没有失去机会。（事实上机会已经失去了，他感到惋惜。）
c. 表示对将来的主观愿望：谓语动词形式为 “would/ could/might+动词原形”。如：
I wish it would stop raining. 但愿雨能停止。
I wish you would be quiet. 我希望你安静一些。
注：Wish 本身用现在时还是过去时，对从句谓语没有影响，只
说明说话人表达愿望的时间。
（2）在一个坚持insist （坚持要做），两个命令order(命令), command(命令), 三条建议 suggest(建议), propose(建议),advise(建议),(recommend)，四项要求demand(要求), request(要求), ask(要求) ，require(要求) 等动词后的宾语从句中，谓语动词用 “(should)+动词原形”，表示建议，要求，命令等。如：
The teacher suggested that we (should) clean the blackboard after class.
老师建议我们课后把黑板擦了。
The undergraduate insisted that he (should) go to work in the south.
这位即将毕业的学生坚持要到南方去工作。
注： 当suggest 表示暗示，主语为something ；insist 表示坚持观点时，作“力言，强调，坚称，坚持说”讲时，后接的宾语从句当用真实语气（陈述语气）。比较：
His silence suggested that he agreed with my decision.他的沉默暗示着他赞成我的决定。
He suggested that I (should) stick to my decision.他建议我坚持自己的决定。
He insists that doing morning exercises does good to people ’s health.
他坚持认为做早操对健康有益。
He insists that he (should) do morning exercises every day.他坚持他每天都要早操。
3 虚拟语气在表语从句和同位语从句中的用法。
当主语为advice, suggestion, order, proposal, request, demand等词时，后接表语从句和同位语从句时，谓语动词用虚拟语气，其形式为 “(should)+动词原形”，表示某人建议、劝告、命令等的内容。如：
My advice is that you should practise speaking English as often as possible.
我的建议是你尽可能经常地练习说英语。
My suggestion is that we (should) invite him. 我的建议是我们邀请他。
The order came that the work should be finished two days ahead of time. 提前两天完成工作的命令传来了。
My suggestion is that we (should) send a few people to help the other groups.
我的建议是我们派几个人去帮助别的小组。
4．特殊的虚拟语气结构。
（1）虚拟语气用在状语从句中
由as if 或as though引导的状语从句或表语从句表示比较或方式时，从句中的谓语动词用虚拟语气。动词形式用动词的过去式(be→were) 或had+过去分词。可译为“仿佛”、“好像”、“好似”。如： The teacher treats the student as if he were her own child. 这位老师带这位学生就象她的亲生孩子一样。
He speaks as if he had been to the United States. 他说得好象
他真的到过美国似的。
She looked as if she were made of ice. 她看起来似乎是冰做的 He looked as if he hadn’t slept for two days. 他看起来好像两天没有睡觉了。
注：在表语从句中，如果要表达的是一个事实，可以不用虚拟语气。如:
It looks as if it is going to rain.
（2）在It is time (that) „; 句型中常用虚拟语气，从句的谓语动词用过去式或should+动词原形（should 不能省略，be 用were ）来表示，意思是“该干某事了，时间已经有些晚了”。如：
It is time that we did something to stop pollution.该我们做些什么制止污染的时候了。
It is time that Father picked up Lily from the kindergarten.该父亲去幼儿园接莉莉的时候了。
（3）would rather, would sooner(just as soon), had rather后的虚拟结构，意思是“我宁愿/希望”
这三个短语后的从句也用虚拟结构，因为他们表达的只是说
话人的意愿，当从句表示现在或将来的时间时, 谓语动词要用一般过去时; 表示过去时间时, 谓语动词要用过去完成时。 如：
I would rather you did not do it. 我宁愿你不做此事。（表示事情还未发生。）
I would rather you had not done it. 我宁愿你没做过此事。（表示事情已经发生。）
I can do it for you but I would sooner just (as soon) you did it yourself. 我能为你做这事，但是我宁愿你自己做。
I had rather that he went instead of her. 我宁愿他替她去。
I ’d rather you told me the truth. 我真希望你告诉我真相。
I’d rather I didn’t see you again. 我宁愿不再见着你。
（4）虚拟语气用在简单句中
a. 情态动词的过去式用于现在时态时，表示说话人的谦虚、客气、有礼貌、或委婉的语气，常用于日常会话中。如：
Would you be kind enough to show me the way to the post office?
请你告诉我去邮局的路好吗？
It would be better for you not to stay up too late. 你最好别熬夜到很晚。
b. 在一些习惯表达中。如：
You ’d better set off now. 你最好现在就出发。
I ’d rather not tell you the secret. 我情愿不告诉你这个秘密。 c. 有些表示祝愿、诅咒、禁止的词也需要用虚拟语气，因为这只是说话者的意愿，能否实现，无人知晓。分以下几种情况。
1. 用 “may+动词原形”表示祝愿，但愿，此时may 须置于句首（多用于正式文体中）。如：
May good luck be yours! 祝你好运！
May you be happy! 祝你快乐！
May you succeed! 祝你成功！
2. 不管主语是什么人称，一律用动词原形。例如：
Long live the people! 人民万岁！
“God bless you,” said the priest.牧师说：“愿上帝保佑你！”
（5）if only 虚拟结构
If only表示愿望，只用if only即可，后边用感叹号，主句可以被省去，只单独用于if 从句，加强条件意味。常被译为“如果„„就好了, 但愿”如：
If only I were still young and beautiful! 我要是仍然年轻漂亮该多好啊！
If only I had arrived in time! 如果我能及时赶到就好了！
（6）“唯恐”类虚拟语气句
“唯恐”类之表达恐怕之意的几个词和短语，有lest(唯恐),in
case(万一) 和for fear that(唯恐) ，它们后边的从句谓语动词多用“should+动词原型”构成，如：
He took a raincoat with him lest it should rain. 他怕下雨便带了一件雨衣。
He put his coat over the child for fear that (lest) he should catch cold. 他把大衣盖在孩子身上怕他感冒。
Take an umbrella in case it should rain. 带把雨伞，以防下雨。
(7) 动词原形用于虚拟语气，表示条件、让步
动词原形用于虚拟语气表示条件、让步，主要用在if, though, so long as, whatever, no matter what等之后，如：
If the news be true, we must reconsider the matter. 如果这消息真实，我们得重新考虑这件事。
Though all your friends desert you, I will not. 即使是所有朋友弃你而去，我也不会。
So long as a volume hold together, I am not much troubled as to its outer appearance.
一卷书只要散不开，我不在意外表怎样。
Whatever, whoever, no matter what之类词之后有时加may.
Whatever defects he (may) have, I still like him. 不管他有什么缺点，我还是喜欢他。
No matter what you may say, I am determined to do what I think is right. 不管你怎么说，我认为对的事我一定要做。
难点
（一）主从句时间不一致情况下的虚拟语气(混合条件句)
有时条件从句中的动作和结果与主句中的动作，发生的时间不一致（如一个是过去发生的，一个是现在发生的），这时动作的形式应根据它所表示的时间加以调整。如：
If you had followed my advice, you would be able to finish the work now.
如果你当时听了我的话，现在就能完成这份工作了。（从句说明过去，主句说明现在。）
If I were you, I would have gone to her birthday party.
如果我是你，我就去参加她的生日晚会了。（从句说明现在，主句说明过去。）
If you hadn’t lent me some money, I couldn’t have bought the new
house and most likely I would be still living in the dangerous house now.
假若你不借钱给我， 我不可能买下这幢新房，很可能现在还住在危房里。（从句说明过去，主句说明过去和现在。）
（二）含蓄条件句
非真实条件句中的条件从句有时不表出来，只暗含在上下文中，这种句子叫做含蓄条件句。含蓄条件句大体有三种情况；
1. 条件暗含在用without, with, but for 等介词所引起的介词短语中。如：
(1) What would I have done without you? 如没有你，我会怎么办呢？(条件暗含在分词短语without you中)
(2) It would be easier to do it this way. 这样做会比较容易。(条件暗含在不定式短语to do it this way中)
(3) But for your help we couldn ’t have succeeded in the experiment. 如果没有你的帮助，我们的实验是不会成功。 (暗含条件是but for your help)
用连词or, otherwise, but, however等表示的暗含条件
(4) I was ill that day. Otherwise I would have taken part in the parade. 我那天生病，否则就参加游行了。(暗含条件是连词otherwise)
2. 条件暗含在上下文中。如：
(5) You might stay her forever. 你可以永远待在这儿。(可能
暗含if you wanted to)
(6) We would have succeeded. 我们本来是会成功的。(可能
暗含if we had kept trying)
(7) Your reputation would be ruined. 你的名誉会败坏的。(可
能暗含if you should accept it)
(8) I would appreciate a little of your time. 谢谢你给我一点
时间吧。(可能暗含if you were so kind as to give me a little of
your time)
3. 在不少情况下，虚拟式已变成习惯说法，很难找出其暗含
的条件。如：
(11) You wouldn’t know. 你不会知道。
(12) I would like to come. 我愿意来。
(13) I wouldn ’t have dreamed of it. 这是我做梦也不会想到
的。
(14) He told the story in such minute detail that he might
himself have been an eye-witness.
他将那事讲的非常仔细，简直就象他亲眼看见一样。
（三）条件从句中省去if 的情况
如果条件从句中包含有were, had, should, 有时可把if 省略掉，但这时要把had, were或should 提至句首。如：
Had I seen the film, I would have discussed it with them last night.
假如我看了那部电影，昨晚我就可以和他们一起讨论了。
Were I a bird, I could fly freely. 假如我是一只小鸟，我就能自
由翱翔。
Should it rain next week the farmers would have a good harvest.
要是下周能下雨的话，农民们就能有个好收成了。
Were it to rain next week the farmers would have a good harvest.
虚拟语气
英语的动词一般可带有三种不同的语气：陈述语气、祈使语
气和虚拟语气。不同的语气用动词的不同形式（有的还借助句法形式）来表示。
1 语气(mood)
语气是动词的一种形式，表示说话人对某一行为或事情的看法和态度。
2 语气的种类
a. 陈述语气：表示动作或状态是现实的、确定的或符合事实的，用于陈述句、疑问句和某些感叹句。如：
People get AIDS after having been infected with HIV.
Her mother did not know that she had AIDS until after Xiaohua was born.
What a brave girl！ 多么勇敢的女孩！
b. 祈使语气：表示说话人对对方的请求或命令。如：
Let me do it. 让我做这件事。
Please keep quiet in the reading room. 请在阅读室保持安静。
c. 虚拟语气：表示动作或状态不是客观存在的事实，而是说话人的主观愿望、假设、怀疑或推测等。虚拟语气主要用于条件从句、让步从句和名词性从句中。如：
If I were a bird, I could fly in the air. 如果我是一只小鸟，我就能在空中飞行。
I wish I were a bird. 但愿我是一只鸟。
She talked to him as though she were his wife. 她跟他说话的方式好像她是他妻子一样。
虚拟语气在条件从句中的用法。
条件从句有两类，一是真实条件句，另一是虚拟条件句。如果假设的情况可能发生，是真实条件句，这种情况下谓语用陈述语气。如：
If time permits, we’ll go fishing together. 如果时间允许，我们就一起去钓鱼。
如果假设的情况是不存在的或不大可能发生的，则是虚拟条件句。如：
If you had come yesterday, you would have met that famous professor. 如果你昨天来，你就会见到那位著名的教授了。（隐含的事实是：你昨天没来，也没见到那位著名教授）。
在含有虚拟条件句的复合句中，主从句的谓语都要用虚拟语气，现将其形式列表如下：
注：主句中的should 只用于第一人称，但在美国英语中，should 常被would 代替；从句中的should 可用于各种人称。
1. 表示与现在事实相反的假设和结果。如：
If I were you, I should (would, could, might) tell him the truth.
如果我是你，我就会告诉他真相了。
If she had time, she would (could, might) help me.
如果她有时间，她就会帮我了。
2. 表示与过去事实相反的假设和结果。如：
If you had come a few minutes earlier, you would have met him.
要是你早来几分钟的话，你就能见到他了。
If you had taken my advice, you wouldn’t (couldn’t) have failed in
the exam.
如果你听了我的建议，你就不会考试不及格。
3 表示与将来事实可能相反的假设和结果。如：
If it were sunny tomorrow, I would come to see you.
明天要是天气好的话，我来看你。(与将来事实可能相反)
---What would happen if I put the paper on the fire? 我要是把
纸放在火上会怎么样？
---It would burn. 纸会烧着。
注：在表示与将来事实可能相反的条件从句中，were to + 动词原形比较正式，常用于书面语中。如：
If I were to do it, I would do it in a different way. 要是我来做这事，我会是另一种做法。
虚拟语气的其它用法
1 虚拟语气在主语从句中的用法。
在“It is important (strange, natural, necessary„) that„”; “It is desired(suggested, decided, requested„) ”和“It is a pity that„，It is one ’s wish that„（某人的意思是„„）”这类句型中，that 所引导的主语从句中的谓语动词常用 “(should)+动词原形”结构，表示惊奇、不相信、惋惜等情绪。如：
It is important that we (should) take good care of the patient. 重要的是我们要照顾好病人。
It is necessary that he (should) be sent to hospital at once. 有必要马上把他送医院。
It is requested that I (should) make a speech at the meeting. 有人请我在会上作一个演讲。
It is desired that he come tonight. 希望他今晚来。
It is suggested that I go there. 有人建议我去那里。
It is a great pity that he should be so proud. 真遗憾他竟会这样骄傲。
It is our wish that he do what he pleases. 我们的意思是他爱怎么样就怎么样。
注：如果主语从句中谓语动词是should have done形式时，should 不可省。
2 虚拟语气在宾语从句中的用法。
（1）在动词wish 后的宾语从句中，表示说话人的愿望，从句通常省略连词that 。
a. 表示对现在情况的虚拟：从句动词用过去式或过去进行式(be的过去式用were )表示。如：
I wish I knew the answer to the question.
我希望知道这个问题的答案。（可惜不知道。）
I wish it were spring in my hometown all the year around.但愿我的家乡四季如春。（只是愿望，实际根本不可能实现。）
b. 表示对过去情况的虚拟：从句动词用 had+过去分词。如： He wished he hadn't done it. 他想要是他没这样做该多好。（实际上已经做了。）
He wishes (wished) he hadn’t lost the chance. 他真希望没有失去机会。（事实上机会已经失去了，他感到惋惜。）
c. 表示对将来的主观愿望：谓语动词形式为 “would/ could/might+动词原形”。如：
I wish it would stop raining. 但愿雨能停止。
I wish you would be quiet. 我希望你安静一些。
注：Wish 本身用现在时还是过去时，对从句谓语没有影响，只
说明说话人表达愿望的时间。
（2）在一个坚持insist （坚持要做），两个命令order(命令), command(命令), 三条建议 suggest(建议), propose(建议),advise(建议),(recommend)，四项要求demand(要求), request(要求), ask(要求) ，require(要求) 等动词后的宾语从句中，谓语动词用 “(should)+动词原形”，表示建议，要求，命令等。如：
The teacher suggested that we (should) clean the blackboard after class.
老师建议我们课后把黑板擦了。
The undergraduate insisted that he (should) go to work in the south.
这位即将毕业的学生坚持要到南方去工作。
注： 当suggest 表示暗示，主语为something ；insist 表示坚持观点时，作“力言，强调，坚称，坚持说”讲时，后接的宾语从句当用真实语气（陈述语气）。比较：
His silence suggested that he agreed with my decision.他的沉默暗示着他赞成我的决定。
He suggested that I (should) stick to my decision.他建议我坚持自己的决定。
He insists that doing morning exercises does good to people ’s health.
他坚持认为做早操对健康有益。
He insists that he (should) do morning exercises every day.他坚持他每天都要早操。
3 虚拟语气在表语从句和同位语从句中的用法。
当主语为advice, suggestion, order, proposal, request, demand等词时，后接表语从句和同位语从句时，谓语动词用虚拟语气，其形式为 “(should)+动词原形”，表示某人建议、劝告、命令等的内容。如：
My advice is that you should practise speaking English as often as possible.
我的建议是你尽可能经常地练习说英语。
My suggestion is that we (should) invite him. 我的建议是我们邀请他。
The order came that the work should be finished two days ahead of time. 提前两天完成工作的命令传来了。
My suggestion is that we (should) send a few people to help the other groups.
我的建议是我们派几个人去帮助别的小组。
4．特殊的虚拟语气结构。
（1）虚拟语气用在状语从句中
由as if 或as though引导的状语从句或表语从句表示比较或方式时，从句中的谓语动词用虚拟语气。动词形式用动词的过去式(be→were) 或had+过去分词。可译为“仿佛”、“好像”、“好似”。如： The teacher treats the student as if he were her own child. 这位老师带这位学生就象她的亲生孩子一样。
He speaks as if he had been to the United States. 他说得好象
他真的到过美国似的。
She looked as if she were made of ice. 她看起来似乎是冰做的 He looked as if he hadn’t slept for two days. 他看起来好像两天没有睡觉了。
注：在表语从句中，如果要表达的是一个事实，可以不用虚拟语气。如:
It looks as if it is going to rain.
（2）在It is time (that) „; 句型中常用虚拟语气，从句的谓语动词用过去式或should+动词原形（should 不能省略，be 用were ）来表示，意思是“该干某事了，时间已经有些晚了”。如：
It is time that we did something to stop pollution.该我们做些什么制止污染的时候了。
It is time that Father picked up Lily from the kindergarten.该父亲去幼儿园接莉莉的时候了。
（3）would rather, would sooner(just as soon), had rather后的虚拟结构，意思是“我宁愿/希望”
这三个短语后的从句也用虚拟结构，因为他们表达的只是说
话人的意愿，当从句表示现在或将来的时间时, 谓语动词要用一般过去时; 表示过去时间时, 谓语动词要用过去完成时。 如：
I would rather you did not do it. 我宁愿你不做此事。（表示事情还未发生。）
I would rather you had not done it. 我宁愿你没做过此事。（表示事情已经发生。）
I can do it for you but I would sooner just (as soon) you did it yourself. 我能为你做这事，但是我宁愿你自己做。
I had rather that he went instead of her. 我宁愿他替她去。
I ’d rather you told me the truth. 我真希望你告诉我真相。
I’d rather I didn’t see you again. 我宁愿不再见着你。
（4）虚拟语气用在简单句中
a. 情态动词的过去式用于现在时态时，表示说话人的谦虚、客气、有礼貌、或委婉的语气，常用于日常会话中。如：
Would you be kind enough to show me the way to the post office?
请你告诉我去邮局的路好吗？
It would be better for you not to stay up too late. 你最好别熬夜到很晚。
b. 在一些习惯表达中。如：
You ’d better set off now. 你最好现在就出发。
I ’d rather not tell you the secret. 我情愿不告诉你这个秘密。 c. 有些表示祝愿、诅咒、禁止的词也需要用虚拟语气，因为这只是说话者的意愿，能否实现，无人知晓。分以下几种情况。
1. 用 “may+动词原形”表示祝愿，但愿，此时may 须置于句首（多用于正式文体中）。如：
May good luck be yours! 祝你好运！
May you be happy! 祝你快乐！
May you succeed! 祝你成功！
2. 不管主语是什么人称，一律用动词原形。例如：
Long live the people! 人民万岁！
“God bless you,” said the priest.牧师说：“愿上帝保佑你！”
（5）if only 虚拟结构
If only表示愿望，只用if only即可，后边用感叹号，主句可以被省去，只单独用于if 从句，加强条件意味。常被译为“如果„„就好了, 但愿”如：
If only I were still young and beautiful! 我要是仍然年轻漂亮该多好啊！
If only I had arrived in time! 如果我能及时赶到就好了！
（6）“唯恐”类虚拟语气句
“唯恐”类之表达恐怕之意的几个词和短语，有lest(唯恐),in
case(万一) 和for fear that(唯恐) ，它们后边的从句谓语动词多用“should+动词原型”构成，如：
He took a raincoat with him lest it should rain. 他怕下雨便带了一件雨衣。
He put his coat over the child for fear that (lest) he should catch cold. 他把大衣盖在孩子身上怕他感冒。
Take an umbrella in case it should rain. 带把雨伞，以防下雨。
(7) 动词原形用于虚拟语气，表示条件、让步
动词原形用于虚拟语气表示条件、让步，主要用在if, though, so long as, whatever, no matter what等之后，如：
If the news be true, we must reconsider the matter. 如果这消息真实，我们得重新考虑这件事。
Though all your friends desert you, I will not. 即使是所有朋友弃你而去，我也不会。
So long as a volume hold together, I am not much troubled as to its outer appearance.
一卷书只要散不开，我不在意外表怎样。
Whatever, whoever, no matter what之类词之后有时加may.
Whatever defects he (may) have, I still like him. 不管他有什么缺点，我还是喜欢他。
No matter what you may say, I am determined to do what I think is right. 不管你怎么说，我认为对的事我一定要做。
难点
（一）主从句时间不一致情况下的虚拟语气(混合条件句)
有时条件从句中的动作和结果与主句中的动作，发生的时间不一致（如一个是过去发生的，一个是现在发生的），这时动作的形式应根据它所表示的时间加以调整。如：
If you had followed my advice, you would be able to finish the work now.
如果你当时听了我的话，现在就能完成这份工作了。（从句说明过去，主句说明现在。）
If I were you, I would have gone to her birthday party.
如果我是你，我就去参加她的生日晚会了。（从句说明现在，主句说明过去。）
If you hadn’t lent me some money, I couldn’t have bought the new
house and most likely I would be still living in the dangerous house now.
假若你不借钱给我， 我不可能买下这幢新房，很可能现在还住在危房里。（从句说明过去，主句说明过去和现在。）
（二）含蓄条件句
非真实条件句中的条件从句有时不表出来，只暗含在上下文中，这种句子叫做含蓄条件句。含蓄条件句大体有三种情况；
1. 条件暗含在用without, with, but for 等介词所引起的介词短语中。如：
(1) What would I have done without you? 如没有你，我会怎么办呢？(条件暗含在分词短语without you中)
(2) It would be easier to do it this way. 这样做会比较容易。(条件暗含在不定式短语to do it this way中)
(3) But for your help we couldn ’t have succeeded in the experiment. 如果没有你的帮助，我们的实验是不会成功。 (暗含条件是but for your help)
用连词or, otherwise, but, however等表示的暗含条件
(4) I was ill that day. Otherwise I would have taken part in the parade. 我那天生病，否则就参加游行了。(暗含条件是连词otherwise)
2. 条件暗含在上下文中。如：
(5) You might stay her forever. 你可以永远待在这儿。(可能
暗含if you wanted to)
(6) We would have succeeded. 我们本来是会成功的。(可能
暗含if we had kept trying)
(7) Your reputation would be ruined. 你的名誉会败坏的。(可
能暗含if you should accept it)
(8) I would appreciate a little of your time. 谢谢你给我一点
时间吧。(可能暗含if you were so kind as to give me a little of
your time)
3. 在不少情况下，虚拟式已变成习惯说法，很难找出其暗含
的条件。如：
(11) You wouldn’t know. 你不会知道。
(12) I would like to come. 我愿意来。
(13) I wouldn ’t have dreamed of it. 这是我做梦也不会想到
的。
(14) He told the story in such minute detail that he might
himself have been an eye-witness.
他将那事讲的非常仔细，简直就象他亲眼看见一样。
（三）条件从句中省去if 的情况
如果条件从句中包含有were, had, should, 有时可把if 省略掉，但这时要把had, were或should 提至句首。如：
Had I seen the film, I would have discussed it with them last night.
假如我看了那部电影，昨晚我就可以和他们一起讨论了。
Were I a bird, I could fly freely. 假如我是一只小鸟，我就能自
由翱翔。
Should it rain next week the farmers would have a good harvest.
要是下周能下雨的话，农民们就能有个好收成了。
Were it to rain next week the farmers would have a good harvest.