English Subjunctive - Use of The Past Subjunctive

Use of The Past Subjunctive

As already mentioned, the only distinct past subjunctive form in English (i.e. form that differs from the corresponding past indicative) is were, which differs when used with a first- or third-person singular subject (where the indicative form is was). As with the present subjunctive, the name past subjunctive refers to the form of the verb rather than its meaning; it does not have to (and in fact usually does not) refer to past time.

The main use of the past subjunctive form is in counterfactual if clauses:

If I were a woman, I would choose that color.
He would let us know if he were planning to arrive late.

Note that the indicative form was can be used equally well in sentences of this type, but were is sometimes preferred especially in more formal English. According to the Random House College Dictionary, "Although the subjunctive seems to be disappearing from the speech of many, its proper use is still a mark of the educated speaker." When were is used, an inverted form without if is possible (see Inversion in condition clauses below); this is not possible with was. A common expression involving were is if I were you.

The same principles of usage apply to the compound past subjunctive form were to...:

If she were/was to go... or Were she to go... (equivalent to if she went)

The past subjunctive form may be used similarly to express counterfactual conditions after suppose, as if, as though, unless, etc.

Suppose that I were there now.
She looks as though she were going to kill him.

There is also the set expression as it were.

The past subjunctive is also used in some that clauses expressing a wish contrary to fact or unlikely to be fulfilled:

I wish he were here now.
If only the door were unlocked.
I would rather she were released.

As above, was can be used instead of were in these examples. After it's (high) time... the use of were is occasionally found, but was is far more common. The example with would rather can also be cast in the present subjunctive, expressing greater confidence that the action is feasible: I would rather she be released.