Ways of rendering the Subjunctive Mood in Russian

The Subjunctive Mood in English often corresponds to the same mood in Russian.

I wish you’ d come oftener to see us. (Dreiser)

Я хотела бы, чтобы вы почаще заходили к нам.

I wonder sometimes, when I think of it, what they would have done, if I had been taken with an illness. (Dickens)

Я иногда думаю о том, как бы они поступили,если бы я заболел.

However, this is not the only way of rendering the Subjunctive Mood in Russian: it is often rendered by the Indicative Mood; sometimes the infinitive is used.

Barsiny received them as if he had known them for years. (Heytn)

Барсини принял их так, как будто он знал их много лет.

In the first place, he showed him Mary’s letter. “If your heart be not made of

stone it will be softened by that,” he said. (Trollope)

Прежде всего он показал ему письмо Мэри. «Если у вас сердце не

каменное, это письмо тронет вас», — сказал он.

I regret extremely Mr. Helstone should have thought it necessary to trouble

you. (Ch. Bronte)

Я очень сожалею, что мистер Хелстоун счел необходимым

побеспокоить вас.

I proposed to Ada, that morning, that we should go and see Richard.

(Dickens)

Утром я предложила Аде пойти навестить Ричарда.

And he again took her hand that he might encourage her. (Trollope)

И он опять взял ее за руку, чтобы подбодрить.

Chapter VIII