Q. What to do about the subjunctive?
A. "If it were...." "I wish I were...." The definition of
the subjunctive is "contrary to fact." If you can't figure it out,
write around it. "If it were I, I would do it" becomes "I know
that I can do it." "I wish it were I who could do it" becomes
"I wish I could do it." The author explains the basics of the
subjunctive, but he pretty much says to follow the definition of "contrary
to fact" for "If" and "wish" clauses or write around
it.
A Plotnik. The Writer (Oct. 07), 15-16.
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