Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive in Modern English is easily distinguished in a great variety of contexts where the sense is past tense, but the form of the subjunctive verb required is present: “It was required that we go to the back of the line.” Were it not the subjunctive, the form of “to go” for something in the past would have been went. Compare with the indicative, “Everyone knows that we went to the back of the line.” One of the functions of subjunctive mood is to express an idea or a statement that is contrary or hypothetical to real present. In such cases, the past form of ‘to be’ verb (is/am/was/were…etc) is always ‘were’, regardless of the subject, gender, and number.
Use “If it were” for a hypothetical, contrary-to-fact situation in the present.
Use “If it was” for a real situation in the past.
If it were a fake, the forensic analysis would show it.
If it was an artificial item, it was a very good fake, because I couldn’t tell the difference.
Set Phrases
o if need be
o as it were
o if I were you; were I you
o be that as it may
o (God) bless you!
o Come Monday (Tuesday, etc.)
o come what may
o (God) damn it!
o far be it from (or for) me
o until death do us part
o God save our gracious Queen, God bless America, God keep our land glorious and free, God rest ye merry gentlemen, etc.
o Heaven forefend/forbid
o so be it
o suffice it to say
o woe betide
o peace be with you
o long live the king
o the powers that be
o albeit (a synthesis of all be it, i.e. although it be)
o truth be told
o rue the day
o would that it were
o rest in peace
o let (may) it be known
