現(xiàn)代英語(yǔ)中,通用的動(dòng)詞虛擬式只有兩個(gè),即be型虛擬式和were型虛擬式.所謂be型虛擬式,是指不管主語(yǔ)是什么人,動(dòng)詞一律用原形,如果動(dòng)詞是被動(dòng)態(tài)形式,則助動(dòng)詞一律用be.所謂were型虛擬式,是指不管主語(yǔ)是什么人稱(chēng),動(dòng)詞一律用were,動(dòng)詞是進(jìn)行時(shí)或被動(dòng)態(tài)時(shí),助動(dòng)詞一律用were.
be型虛擬式
1.用于表示命令、決定.建議等詞語(yǔ)后的that分句.例如：Mary insisted that John come./He ordered that the books be sent at once.
2.用于if,though,whatever,lest等引導(dǎo)的分句中,表示推測(cè)、讓步、憂(yōu)慮等.例如：Though everyone desert you,I will not./If John be found guilty,he shall have the right of appeal.
3.用于某些表示祝愿、詛咒、禁止等以及公式化的語(yǔ)句中.
例如：
God bless you!/Heaven forbid!
were型虛擬式
1.用于wish后的that分句中,表示與現(xiàn)在的事實(shí)相反的主觀設(shè)想.例如：
I wish I were there.
I wish it were spring all the year round.
2.用于if,as if,as though等引導(dǎo)的分句和suppose或imagine等后面的分句中,表示對(duì)現(xiàn)在時(shí)間或?qū)?lái)時(shí)間的主觀設(shè)想.例如：
If I were you,I should wait till next week.
He spoke to me as if I were deaf.
If it were to rain,we should get wet.