Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Use the subjunctive mood in the few contexts that require it
Choose appropriate verb forms, tenses, and moods
Grammar

There are three moods in English: the indicative, used for facts, opinions, and questions; the imperative, used for orders or advice; and the subjunctive, used in certain contexts to express wishes, requests, or conditions contrary to fact. For many writers, the subjunctive causes the most problems.

Forms of the subjunctive

In the subjunctive mood, present-tense verbs do not change form to indicate the number and person of the subject (see 21). Instead, the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb (be, drive, employ) with all subjects. Also, in the subjunctive mood, there is only one past-tense form of be: were (never was).

✵ It is important that you be [not are] prepared for the interview.

✵ We asked that she drive [not drives] more slowly.

✵ If I were [not was] you, I’d try a new strategy.

Uses of the subjunctive

The subjunctive mood appears only in a few contexts, outlined below.

In contrary-to-fact clauses beginning with if

When a subordinate clause beginning with if expresses a condition contrary to fact, use the subjunctive were in place of was.

Do not use the subjunctive mood in if clauses expressing conditions that exist or may exist.

If Dana wins the contest, she will leave for Barcelona in June.

In clauses expressing a wish

In formal English, use the subjunctive were in clauses expressing a wish or desire.

In that clauses following verbs such as ask, insist, request, and suggest

Because requests have not yet become reality, they are expressed in the subjunctive mood.

In certain set expressions

The subjunctive mood, once more widely used, remains in certain set expressions, including be that as it may, as it were, and far be it from me.

EXERCISE 27-3

Edit the following sentences to eliminate errors in verb tense or mood. If a sentence is correct, write “correct” after it. Answers appear in the back of the book.

a. The palace of Knossos in Crete is believed to have been destroyed by fire around 1375 BCE.

b. Discovered in 1930, Pluto was an icy dwarf planet that exists at the edge of our solar system.

c. When city planners proposed rezoning the waterfront, did they know that the mayor promised to curb development in that neighborhood?

d. Tonight’s lecture begins at 7:30. If it was earlier, I’d consider attending.

e. The math position was filled by the instructor who had been running the tutoring center.