Grammar Tips: Subjunctive Mood (If I Were)
The subjunctive mood is used to express a condition that does not exist, such as a wish or a possibility. This means using “were” instead of “was” and “had” instead of “has,” “have,” or “would have.”
For example:
He wishes his pet turtle were still alive. NOT He wishes his pet turtle was still alive.
If I were in charge, things would be a lot different around here. NOT If I was in charge…
If she had slept more, she wouldn’t be so tired today. NOT If she would have slept more…
This explains why Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof sings, “If I were a rich man,” (not “If I was a rich man”) and why Beyonce sings, “If I were a boy,” rather than, “If I was a boy.”
