If I Were a Rich Man....(subjunctive mood)

Today's post is a response to the first question I've received on this blog.
(Thanks,Pat!) The question is published on the "lie and lay" post and asks why we say "if I were" instead of "if I was."


The most important word in a sentence is the verb; in fact, you can have a complete sentence with one verb and no other word. The verb's form can tell you what its mood is. Mood shows the speaker's state of mind and his concept of the verb he is using. There are three moods, and each reflects the way the speaker or writer regards the sentence:
              as a statement or a question- the indicative mood
              as a command or request- the imperative mood
              as a supposition, hypothesis, recommendation, or condition contrary
                  to fact-the subjunctive mood

Most verbs are in the indicative mood, as in these sentences:
              Tom played football in college.
              Did Tom play football in college?

Less commonly used is the imperative mood, which is a command or request.
Verbs in the imperative mood are in the second person, which means that the speaker is directly addressing a person or persons. The subject of a verb in the imperative mood is the personal pronoun "you," which can be singular or plural. Usually the "you" is not spoken, but understood, as in these sentences:
              Leave the package by the door.
              Please pass the butter.
              Listen! (This is a complete sentence with one word.)

      
Today's post will focus on the subjunctive mood, which is the least commonly used. We've all heard it in such phrases as these:
             as it WERE                 God BLESS you                 Heaven FORBID
             far BE it from me         long live the King               God HELP us
             BE that as it may        PERISH the thought           SUFFICE it to say
                                                wish you WERE here
      
The subjunctive mood is used to demand or suggest, to express a wish, or to make a statement that is contrary to fact. Verbs in the subjunctive mood express hypothetical or imaginary situations as opposed to factual ones. The verb that is most often used in the subjunctive is the verb "to be," which has only two subjunctive forms: "be" in the present, used in commands and suggestions, and "were" in the past, used in contrary-to-fact statements and in statements expressing a wish. When verbs other than "to be" are in the present subjunctive mood, the only change in form is the dropping of the "s" in the third person singular. The conjunction "if' is frequently used with the subjunctive mood, as well as "that," and, less frequently, "lest."
   

The following sentences use the subjunctive to demand, recommend, urge,
or suggest:
                         We insist that you BE reimbursed.
                         I vote that she BE admitted.
                        The committee has ruled that the decision BE deferred until
                             tomorrow.
                         It's essential that he ARRIVE on time.
                         I suggest that he REMAIN after class.
                         It is necessary that the parents BE informed.
                         I recommend that everyone SEE this movie.
                        We demand that the leader RESIGN and the matter BE dropped.
                         It is imperative that another doctor BE consulted.
                         I propose that the rule BE adopted.
                         It is important that he KNOW the truth.

In the above sentences, notice the following:
   1. The subjunctive mood is used in "that" clauses expressing commands,
          requests, or suggestions.
   2. The verbs in the clauses beginning with "that" are in the present tense.
   3. In the present subjunctive, the verb "to be" uses "be" with all subjects, and
         other verbs drop the "s" in the third person singular.
    

When the subjunctive is used to express a wish, the verb "wish" is followed by
a clause with a verb in the past tense, as in "I wish you liked pizza." (The word
"that" is understood.)

These sentences use the subjunctive to express a wish:
                         She wishes she WERE taller.
                         I wish I WERE at the beach.  
                         I wish that this day WERE over.
                         He wishes that he KNEW the answer.
                         We wish we COULD attend your party.
                         I wish you WEREN'T leaving.
                         I wish you WERE going with me.
                         He wishes he HAD a new bike.
                         I wish it WERE possible for me to attend.

In the above sentences, notice the following:
1.  The subjunctive is used in "that" clauses following the verb "wish,"
       implying that the clause is stating an idea that is hypothetical, unlikely,
       or doubtful.
2, The verb "wish" is followed by a clause with a past tense verb.
3. The past subjunctive form of the verb is the same as the past indicative,
       except for "were."
4. Just like "be" in the present subjunctive, "were" is used with all subjects,
        singular or plural.


The third use of the subjunctive mood is in statements that focus on an idea that
 is unlikely, impossible, or contrary to fact, and the past subjunctive is used in
 "if" clauses that express such conditions.
                                                                            
The following sentences use the subjunctive in a statement that is contrary to fact:
                          If I WERE you, I wouldn't worry. (I am not you.)
                          If he WERE faster, he'd be on the team.
                          If she WERE more attentive, she'd be a good student.
                          If I WERE a year older, I could get my license. 
                          If she WERE here, she would help us.
                          If I BELIEVED you, I would need my head examined.
                          If he WALKED through that door tomorrow, I would not be
                             surprised. (The past is used in speaking of a future event,
                             showing that it's unlikely.)

In the above sentences, notice the following:
1. The "if" clause states an idea that is not a fact.
2. The verb in the "if" clause is in the past tense.
3. The past subjunctive form of the verb is the same as the past indicative,
       except for "were."
4. The verb "were" is used for all subjects, singular or plural.


P.S. The subjunctive is also used in wishes that begin with "If only."
P.P.S. If your wish is for something in the past, use the auxiliary verb "had,"
           as in "I wish I had been there when you called."