What is the subjunctive?
Most sentences tell facts. The subjunctive is for things that are not facts: wishes, dreams and imagined situations. To show "this is not real", English steps the verb back to its past form.
Fact: I am short. Wish: I wish I were tall.
I wish + past form
Use "I wish" + past form for something you do not have or cannot do now.
- I don't have a dog. → I wish I had a dog.
- I can't swim. → I wish I could swim.
- It is raining. → I wish it were sunny.
The time is now. Only the shape of the verb is past.
If I were ...
For an imagined condition we use "if" + were, then "would" for the result.
- If I were you, I would say sorry.
- If she were here, we would start.
- If I were a bird, I would fly home.
"Were" is used with I, he, she, it, we, you and they. In casual speech "If I was..." is heard, but exams expect "were".
Real or unreal? A quick test
Ask: is this true now? If the answer is no, and you are wishing or imagining, use the pattern here. If it could be true, use a normal "if": "If he is here, I will say hello."
Key formulas and definitions
- I wish + subject + past form (had, lived, were)
- If + subject + were, subject + would + base verb
- were for all persons in this pattern
- I wish I could + verb (for abilities)
- Key terms: subjunctive, unreal, wish, would
Worked examples
1. Make a wish: "I live far from the sea."
I wish I lived near the sea.
2. Give advice: "I am not you, but you should rest."
If I were you, I would rest.
3. Correct: "I wish I am a doctor."
I wish I were a doctor. (After wish use the past form.)
4. Fill in: "If it ____ cheaper, I would buy it." (be)
were. If it were cheaper, I would buy it.
Common mistakes
- "I wish I am rich." Use the past form: I wish I were rich.
- "If I will be you, I will go." Use: If I were you, I would go.
- Using "would" in the if-part: "If I would be rich". Put would only in the result part.
- Thinking past form means past time. Here it means now.