The Subjunctive Mood: Wishes & Contrary-to-Fact Conditions
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Master the use of the subjunctive mood for expressing wishes and hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations. This stack focuses on the common 'if...were' and 'wish...were' constructions tested on the SAT and ACT.
The Subjunctive Mood: Wishes & Contrary-to-Fact Conditions
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When is the subjunctive mood used for conditions?
It is used for conditions that are untrue, hypothetical, or contrary to fact. These often begin with 'if', 'as if', or 'as though'.
What is the correct subjunctive form of the verb 'to be' in contrary-to-fact conditions?
The correct form is 'were' for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). Example: "If I were you...", "If he were taller..."
Correct the error: "If I was the team captain, I would change the strategy."
Correct: "If I were the team captain, I would change the strategy." This is a contrary-to-fact situation, so the subjunctive 'were' is required.
How is the subjunctive used to express a wish?
After the verb 'to wish,' use the subjunctive form to describe a reality you would like to be different. For the verb 'to be,' this means using 'were'. Example: "I wish it were the weekend."
Correct the error: "He acts as if he was the boss."
Correct: "He acts as if he were the boss." The phrase 'as if' introduces a contrary-to-fact condition, requiring the subjunctive 'were'.
Fill in the blank: "I wish I _____ able to fly."
I wish I were able to fly.
Fill in the blank: "If the weather _____ better, we would go to the beach."
If the weather were better, we would go to the beach.
Is 'was' ever correct in an 'if' clause?
Yes, but only when the condition might have been true in the past. Example: "If I was rude to you yesterday, I apologize." This is indicative, not subjunctive, because it expresses uncertainty about a past fact, not a contrary-to-fact condition.
What is the difference in meaning between "If I was there..." and "If I were there..."?
"If I was there..." (indicative) implies I might have actually been there (e.g., "I don't remember, but if I was there, I didn't see him."). "If I were there..." (subjunctive) implies I am definitely not there (e.g., "If I were there right now, I'd be swimming.").
Create a sentence using the subjunctive mood to express a wish about studying.
Example: "I wish I were already finished with my homework."
Create a sentence using 'as though' and the subjunctive mood.
Example: "She described the city as though she were a lifelong resident, even though she had just arrived."
