Reference: A Writer’s Reference with Writing about Literature
Tenses with infinitives and participles
Use Present Infinitive
Show action at the same time or later than the main verb
- The club had hoped to
have raisedraise $1000 by May.
(“have hoped” happened before “raise”)
Use Perfect Infinitive
For an action occurring earlier than the main verb
- Dan would like to
joinhave joined the navy but he did not pass the physical. (“like” is now, “join” was in the past)
Use Past/Present Perfect Participle
For an action occurring before the main verb
- Discovered off the coast of FL., the Atocha yielded many treasures.
- Having worked her way though college, Lee graduated debt-free.
Subjunctives
Use base from of verb and were is the only past-tense verb used
IF + Contrary-to-fact clauses
The verbs are for conditions that are not true
- If I
waswere a member of Congress, I’d vote for that bill. - We could be less cautious if Jake
waswere more trustworthy.
But when the IF clauses is about something that exist or may exist, then don’t use subjective.
- If Dana wins the contest, she’ll leave for Spain in June.
Wishing + Contrary-to-fact clauses
- Formal: I wish he were my friend.
- Informal: I wish he was my friend.
Clauses for request
Because the requests haven’t come true, subjunctive is used. Look for verb like: ask, insist, recommend, request, suggest.
- Prof. Moore insists that her students
arebe on time. - We recommend that he
filesfile this report.