1. If I were a king (but I'm not), I'd see that my laws were obeyed.
3. If I had been careful, my work would be good. (I was not careful.)
4. I wish I had been careful! (I was not.)
Notice that the verb is in the past or in the past perfect tense.
There are some careful writers who still use the present subjunctive to show a _possibility_; as,
Lest he start too late, remind him again that he must meet the 4:15 train.
In the following sentences, which form is better? May any of the sentences use either form?
2. If I _was_--_were_ you, I should go at once.
3. If his work _was_--_were_ exact, he would have no trouble in holding a position.
4. If it _was_--_were_ true, why didn't you say so?
5. If he _was_--_were_ a millionaire, he could not have been more lavish.
6. If such a thing _was_--_were_ possible, our government would be no government.
7. If the election _was_--_were_ postponed, we should have been informed.
Insert _was_ or _were_ in each of the following sentences, in each case giving a reason for your choice. Remember that the indicative _was_ is used to denote a statement of fact in the past time, and the subjunctive _were_ (singular and plural) is used to denote a possibility, something that is supposed to be true, or a statement entirely contrary to fact, as in a wish.
4. If he ---- attentive in class, he would not fail.
5. They treated me as if I ---- one of the family.
6. When I ---- in the South I visited New Orleans.
7. Suppose she ---- your guest, how would you entertain her?
8. He would appear very tall ---- it not for the breadth of his shoulders.
9. We decided that if it ---- still raining by seven o'clock, we should not go.
10. If our strawberries ---- ripe, I'd give you some.
11. If the package ---- left yesterday, as you say, it must have been while I ---- not at home.
12. If he ---- late yesterday, he must start earlier to-day.
13. If every man ---- honest, business life would be very pleasant.
15. If he ---- not interested, he surely looked as if he ----.
16. ---- I certain that the bonds ---- safe, I should invest in them.
17. As the tablecloth ---- stained, we laid it on the grass to bleach it.
18. If that stained tablecloth ---- mine, I'd try bleaching it.
19. If I ---- as interested in farming as you are, I'd buy a farm.