Understanding Optative Sentences
* Optative sentences express a wish or desire. They are usually formed using the subjunctive mood.
* "If" introduces a condition. It implies that the wish or desire is dependent on something happening.
Changing Narration
1. Identify the type of sentence: Is it a simple optative sentence (expressing a wish) or a conditional optative sentence (expressing a wish that depends on a condition)?
2. Direct to Indirect: You'll be changing from a direct statement of the wish/desire to an indirect report of that wish/desire.
3. Subjunctive Mood: The subjunctive mood will be used in both the direct and indirect forms of the sentence.
Example:
* Direct: If only I *could* travel to Europe!
* Indirect: He wished that he *could* travel to Europe.
Explanation:
* Direct: The sentence expresses a direct wish, using the subjunctive mood "could."
* Indirect: The sentence reports the wish indirectly, using the subjunctive mood "could" again. Notice the change in tense and the addition of "wished."
More Complex Examples:
* Direct: If only I *had* more time to read!
* Indirect: She wished she *had* more time to read.
* Direct: If only the weather *were* better today!
* Indirect: They wished the weather *were* better today.
Key Points:
* Tense Changes: The tense may shift when changing narration. The direct optative sentence may be in the present tense, but the indirect form may require past tense ("wished").
* Reporting Verbs: Use appropriate reporting verbs like "wished," "hoped," "desired" to introduce the indirect statement.
* Maintain Subjunctive: The subjunctive mood remains crucial in both direct and indirect forms.
Important Note: It's sometimes possible to express a wish without using "if" directly, but the principles of changing narration remain the same. Focus on the wish or desire being reported, and use the appropriate subjunctive form and reporting verb.