1.      1.Situations/Conditions that are hypothetical. Imaginary, contrary to reality/fact

2.       2.Wishful thinking

3.       3. To express commands, advice, suggestions

4.To express importance, urgency, better option

4.       5. Fixed Expressions

 

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If+ subject +were (to)….., would…

Were +subject+ to verb…, (then)… would…

If I were you, I would leave it alone.

If she were in this situation, she would do it differently.

Future: If Jim were to become CEOO, you can be sure he would fire half the staff within a week.

Exception: If Jim becomes CEO, he will… ( real Possibility)

Were John to ask for a raise, it is likely he would actually be fired.


2. Subject+ wish +past tense verb/verb…

(subject to wish + (that) Clause)

I wish I were with you.

He wishes he were more skilled with computers.

Jane wished she were richer.


3. Particular indicative verbs+ (that) noun clause with base verb

Indicative verbs: Suggest, recommend, ask, insist, demand, command, order, wish, propose, urge, nouns- advice, desire

The doctor advised that Jim be brought be hospital right away.

The doctor advised that Jim go to hospital…

The doctor advised that Jim not go to hospital...

The doctor’s advice is that Jim be brought to…

(is here according to noun ( the doctor advice

Adjectives: vital, essential, important, crucial, imperative, necessary, best, desirable, urgent, recommended, a good idea,

It is important that all members fill out a form.

It is important that each member fill out a form.

It is important that each member fill out a form.

 

It is important that each member should fill out a form. (British style)

 

 

4. Fixed Expressions:

 

So be it— If that’s how it has to be, so be it.

As it were (in  way, so to speak, in a manner of speaking)- Linda, you do not look well. Let me take you to bed, as it were.

Be that as it may (Whether it is true or not..)

They claim innocence. Be that as it may, we will have to begin an investigation …

If need be ( if it is necessary )

Provincial politicians must act. If need be, the federal government is willing to subsidize the costs….

 

 

School boards have the power to change this situation. Were they, for example, to mandate that every school employ a nutritionist to oversee cafeteria offerings as well as conduct healthy eating working shops, this could easily change the reality on the ground and going and going forward.

There are those who have not yet realized that wishing one were successful is not going to make one so, it is only through hard work and dedication that a person finds success.

Thus, it is imperative that decision of this nature not be left to those unqualified to make them