Sorry people, yet another question! Please consider this: If it were to rain, I would get wet. (no contention). If it were to rain, and I was/were to forget my umbrella, I would get wet. Which one is it (was or were)? Thanks so much! =)

I just want to point out the word "could" is indicative of the subjunctive mood Modal verbs don't have tenses and moods in the way that other verbs do. could certainly acts like a past subjunctive in If I could help you, I would.

The only time you would use "I were" is with the subjunctive, contrary to fact. "I wish I were with you right now".

It would helpful to use those words in a sentence: (1) If I WERE the president (of course, I AM not), I WOULD always be serious, honest, and conscientious. (2) If I WAS rude yesterday (perhaps I WAS), I now wish to apologize to you.

The official past subjenctive of be is were in all grammatical persons. However, in informal style was is common in 1st and 3rd person singular. CB

why is it if I were instead if I was

I meant this: If the train had already left, we should/would have taken the next train.

Here's how it should be: Jackson would have celebrated his fiftieth birthday this August if he were alive . Jackson would have celebrated his fiftieth birthday this August if he had not died earlier this year . There are a

"If you knew what I had gone through, you would surely pity me." Don't listen to these people. You can change it to "have" because only the first verb has to be in the subjunctive mood. The verb "knew" is

It can be put in present perfect and past perfect using "if" like this: If the train have already left , we shall/will take the next train. (formal present perfect subjunctive) If the train had already left , we should/would