Writing Better English for ESL Learners

The past subjunctive is also used to set up a present condition (If this were

the case, that would happen). The phrase beginning with ifsets the condition.

If it stoppedraining, I would bevery happy.

If you understoodmy problem, you would offerme better advice.

Iwouldn’t dothat if I wereyou.

Notice that wouldand a verb are used in the phrase that does not containif.

The past subjunctive is formed from the simple past tense and, except for

the verb to be, looks just like the past tense. Look at some examples with the

verbs to be,to have, and to look.

INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE INDICATIVE SUBJUNCTIVE

I was were had had looked looked

you were were had had looked looked

he was were had had looked looked

we were were had had looked looked

they were were had had looked looked

In certain cases, the verb can be preceded by would. This use will be explained

later. The preceding three verbs become would be,would have, and would look.

When you use a verb with an auxiliary (is going, has spoken, is able to

write), the same pattern occurs as shown previously. In the phrase that begins

with if, use the auxiliary and participle. In the other phrase, use wouldfollowed

by the auxiliary and participle. The phrase that begins with ifsets the past con-

dition. Let’s look at some examples:

If he had earnedenough money, he would have been goingto college

next fall.

Tom would have spokenwith you if he had seenyou.

If you had studiedharder, you would have been able to writebetter.

Exercise 1.13Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb shown.

1. I have to recommend you (to speak) with her soon.


2. The sultan commanded she (to sing) for him.


3. Maria suggested he (to find) someone else to
   dance with.

32 Writing Better English