...we'd be better off today if your proposal had succeeded. (Hillary, Living History, p. 335) 上面的句子并不符合您在以上各条中所讲的虚拟语气所表达的时间关系。如何解释虚拟语气的此种用法?
以上各条所讲的只是虚拟语气所表达的简单的时间关系。上句则涉及到比较复杂的时间关系:从句表示与过去的事实相反,主句表达与现在的事实相反。这种句子叫做错综时间条件句,见 conditional sentences of mixed time。上面的句子似可译为:假如当年您的计划成功了,那我们今天的情况可就好多了。 subjunctive mood used in adverbial clause of concession(用于让步状语从句的虚拟语气) 见 be , though it be, whether they be, should subjunctive mood used in adverbial clause of purpose(用于目的从句的虚拟语气) 见 lest, case , in order that subjunctive mood used in appositive clause(用于同位语从句的虚拟语气) 见 requirement subjunctive mood used in attributive clause(用于定语从句的虚拟语气) 见 time subjunctive mood used in object clause(用于宾语从句的虚拟语气) 见 wish, had rather, would, demand that, request, insist, order, should , suggest subjunctive mood used in predicative clause(用于表语从句的虚拟语气) 见 requirement