the actual semantic role served by it in syntactic constructions. p align="justify"> We have already stated that the most typical use of the past unposterior subjunctive is connected with the expression of unreal actions in conditional clauses (see examples cited above). Further observations of texts show that, in principle, in all the other cases of its use the idea of ​​unreal condition is, if not directly expressed, then implied by way of "subtext". These are constructions of concession and comparison, expressions of urgency, expressions of wish introduced independently and in object clauses. Let us examine them separately. p align="justify"> The syntactic clause featuring the analysed form in the context nearest to the clause of condition is the clause of concession. E.g.:
Even if he had been a commanding officer himself, he wouldn't have received a more solemn welcome in the mess. Even though it were raining, we'll go boating on the lake. p align="justify"> It is easy to see, that the so-called "concession" in the cited complex sentences presents a variety of condition. Namely, it is unreal or hypothetical condition which is either overcome or neglected. And it is expressed intensely. Thus, the transformational exposition of the respective implications will be the following:
... ? In spite of the fact that he was not a commanding officer, he was given the most solemn welcome of the sort commanding officers were given. ... ? We don't know whether it will be raining or not, but even in case it is raining we will go boating. p align="justify"> Comparisons with the subjunctive are expressed in adverbial clauses and in predicative clauses. In both cases condition is implied by way of contracted implication. Cf. an adverbial comparative clause: She was talking to Bennie as if he were a grown person.
The inherent condition is exposed by re-constructing the logic of the imaginary situation:? She was talking to Bennie as she would be talking to him if he were a grown person. p align="justify"> A similar transformation applies to the predicative comparative clause: It looks as if it had been snowing all the week. ? It looks as it would look if it had been snowing all the week. p align="justify"> In the subjunctive expression of urgency (temporal limit) the implied urgent condition can be exposed by indicating a possible presupposed consequence. Cf.: It is high time the right key to the problem were found. *? * The finding of the right key to the problem is a condition that has long been necessary to realise; those interested would be satisfied in this case. p align="justify"> In clauses and sentences of wish featuring the subjunctive, the implied condition is dependent on the expressed desire of a situation contrary to reality, and on the regret referring jo the existing state of things. This can also be exposed by indicating a possible presupposed consequence. Cf. a complex sentence with an object clause of wish-subjunctive:
I wish my brain weren't in such a whirl all the time. *? My brain not being in such a whirl all the time is a condition for my attending to matters more efficiently. p align="justify"> The wish-subjunctive in independent sentences has the same implication: Oh, that the distress signals had only been heard when we could be in time to rescue the crew! *? Our hearing the distress signals was a condition for the possibility of our being in time to rescue the crew. We are in despair that it was not so. p align="justify"> As is indicated in grammars, modal verbs used in similar constructions display the functional features of the subjunctive, including the verb would which implies some effort of wilful activity. Cf.: p align="justify"> I wish he could have cornel - The implication is that, unfortunately, he had no such possibility. I wish he would have cornel - The implication is that he had not come of his own free will. p align="justify"> As we see, the subjunctive form under analysis in its various uses does express the unreality of an action which constitutes a condition for the corresponding consequence. Provided our observation is true, and the considered subjunctive uses are essentially those of stipulation, the appropriate explanatory term for this form of the subjunctive would be "stipulative". Thus, the subjunctive form-type which is referred to on the structural basis as the past unposterior, on the functional basis will be referred to as stipulative. p align="justify"> Now let us consider the form-type of the subjunctive which structurally presents the past posterior. As we have stated before, its most characteristic use is connected with the principal clause of the complex sentence expressing a situation of unreal condition: the principal clause conveys the idea of ​​its imaginary consequence, thereby also relating to unreal s...
