虛擬語氣在賓語從句中的應用口訣
在表示“堅持”、“命令”、“建議”、“要求”等後的賓語從句要用虛擬語氣。這類動詞有人歸納爲“一個堅持(insist)、兩個命令(order, command)、三個建議(advise, suggest, propose)、四個要求(demand, require, request, ask)”，這類虛擬語氣由“should+動詞原形”構成，其中的should在美國英語中通常可以省略。如：
He insisted that I (should) go with them. 他堅持要我同他們一起去。
He ordered that it (should) be sent back. 他命令把它送回去。
The doctor advised [suggested] that he (should) not smoke. 醫生建議他不要抽菸。
He requires that I (should) appear. 他要求我出場。
注：這類句子有時可用於被動結構，前面用先行詞it作主語，代表後面的從句。如：
It was proposed that this matter be discussed next time. 有人提議這事下次再討論。
動詞insist後接賓語從句時，除可用虛擬語氣外，也可用陳述語氣，兩者的區別是：若謂語動詞所表示的動作尚未發生，或尚未成爲事實，則用虛擬語氣；若謂語動詞所表示的動作已經發生，或已經成爲事實，則要用陳述語氣。比較：
He insisted that I had read his letter. 他堅持說我看過他的信。
He insisted that I should read his letter. 他堅持要我看他的信。
與動詞insist相似，動詞suggest後接賓語從句時，除可用虛擬語氣外，也可用陳述語氣，兩者的區別也是：若謂語動詞所表示的情況尚未成爲事實，則用虛擬語氣，此時suggest通常譯爲“建議”；若謂語動詞所表示的情況爲既成事實，則要用陳述語氣，此時的suggest通常譯爲“表明”、“認爲”。比較並體會：
He suggested that we (should) stay for dinner. 他建議我們留下吃飯。
What he said suggested that he was a cheat. 他說的話表明他是個騙子。
I suggested that you had a secret understanding with him. 我覺得你與他心照不宣。
