The subjunctive mood is one of three moods (the others are the indicative mood and the imperative mood) that can affect the ending of a verb. If it's a bad day, another mood can be dumpy, but that's for another Tip.

Understanding the workings of the subjunctive mood is not as important in English grammar as it is in other languages. That's because the special forms that at one time set the subjunctive mood apart from other moods have largely disappeared from English. Those forms that do change are pretty much confined to the two situations covered here today: clauses introduced by if that are contrary to fact, and clauses that follow verbs or verb phrases expressing a wish, a request, a command, or a recommendation.

IF I WERE or IF I WAS: What's real?

Guideline. Use were (instead of was) in statements that are contrary to fact.

A closer look. Statements contrary to fact, especially those that begin with "if," call for the subjunctive form of the verb. Some usage authorities argue that there is no longer a need to worry about this distinction, but careful writers and speakers continue to use subjunctive forms in a few situations--and particularly in if clauses that express a statement contrary to fact. The main change you need to make in most of these situations is to substitute were for was.

• If this were [not was] a well-designed ski boat, we wouldn't be creating such a huge wake like we are. (The subjunctive form of to be [were] is the proper choice because the statement is contrary to fact: The boat is not well designed.)
• If I were you, I wouldn't ski behind this boat. (Were is the proper choice because the statement is contrary to fact.)
• I have often wished that I were more like Dave. (Were is the correct choice even though the main verb is in the past tense. The statement is still contrary to fact.)
• I wish I were in Florida. (The proper choice is were because the statement is contrary to fact.)
  
  But:
• If it was snowing yesterday in Wisconsin, the tournament was probably called off. (Was is the proper choice here because there is a good chance it was snowing. Well, maybe.)
• The only reason I called was to see if Schmoe was still at home. (The verb here is not in the subjunctive mood because the idea following "if" is not contrary to fact. Schmoe's being home is a distinct possibility.)

BE or IS: Wishful thinking

Guideline. Use the subjunctive form of the verb to be (be) in clauses that follow a verb expressing a request, a demand, a recommendation, or a necessity.

A closer look. More often than not, the form of the verb called for in clauses that follow verbs expressing a demand, a recommendation, or necessity is no different from the form you would use in simple statements. The main exception involves the verb to be, which calls for be in most situations. The distinctions are subtle, but the examples below should help you make the proper choice.

• I would like to suggest that this discussion about ski boat designs be postponed for at least a week. (Be is used because the clause follows a verb phrase [like to suggest] that expresses a suggestion.)
• It is essential that the instruction manual be completed by next year. (Be is used because the clause follows a verb that helps to express a necessity.)
• I recommend that the site of the meeting be changed to Tasmania. (Be is the proper choice because the clause follows a verb that expresses a recommendation.)

Fort Sumter Bombarded

The American War Between the States (WBTS) began on this date in 1861 when Confederates fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The fort had been the source of tension between the Union and Confederacy for several months. Ease your tensions by taking our vocab quiz today.

1. coup de main: (a) a leather shoe, similar to an ankle-high boot, issued to soldiers during the WBTS; (b) a sudden attack in force; (c) a term used to describe marauding or foraging soldiers; (d) gunboats using stacked cotton bales to protect themselves from enemy fire.

2. commutation: (a) a large gap or "hole" in a fortification's walls or embankments caused by artillery or mines, exposing the inside of the fortification to assault; (b) a series of military operations that form a distinct phase of the War (such as the Shenandoah Valley Campaign); (c) to practice marching, military formations and the steps in firing and handling one's weapon; (d) stipulation which allowed certain draftees to pay a fee in order to avoid military service.

3. bivouac: (a) a temporary camp without tents or cover; (b) the distance around the inside of a gun barrel measured in thousandths of an inch; (c) round container used to carry water, made of wood or tin and carried over the shoulder by a strap; (d) a projectile, shot from a cannon, filled with about 35 iron balls the size of marbles that scattered like the pellets of a shotgun.

4. barbette: (a) a fixed armored housing at the base of a gun turret on a warship or armored vehicle; (b) a breech-loading, single-shot, rifle-barreled gun primarily used by cavalry troops; (c) the officer who was responsible for supplying clothing, supplies and food for the troops; (d) a sturdily built, arched masonry chamber enclosed by a fortification's ramparts or walls.

5. antebellum: (a) occurring or existing after a particular war; (b) the term used for military supplies, such as weaponry and ammunition; (c) a defensive obstacle constructed by using a long horizontal beam pierced with diagonal rows of sharpened spikes; (d) occurring or existing before a particular war.

6. revetment: (a) a soldier who was wounded, killed, or missing in action; (b) a barricade of earth or sandbags set up to provide protection from a blast; (c) troops sent to strengthen a fighting force by adding an additional number of fresh soldiers; (d) another term for slavery in the South.

7. vedette: (a) to fire along the length of an enemy's battle line; (b) a mounted sentry positioned beyond an army's outposts to observe the movements of the enemy; (c) a handheld firearm with a chamber to hold multiple bullets (usually six); (d) parts of the army which were withheld from fighting during a particular battle but ready and available to fight if necessary.

8. howitzer: (a) a high-pitched cry that Confederate soldiers would shout when attacking; (b) long, cylindrical metal rod used to push the cartridge down the barrel of a musket in preparation for firing; (c) a short gun for firing shells on high trajectories at low velocities; (d) a very large, bullet-resistant gabion which was used to protect soldiers from enemy fire as they constructed trenches.

9. kepi: (a) a military movement which is used to draw the enemy's attention, distracting the enemy so that an attack can be made in another location; (b) a common Southern term for "peanut"; (c) phrase used to describe soldiers who were either new to the military or had never fought in a battle before; (d) a French military cap with a flat top and horizontal brim.

10. long roll: (a) a long, continuous drum call which commanded a regiment to assemble; (b) a large earthen mound used to shield the inside of a fortified position from artillery fire and infantry assault; (c) slang for an intestinal wartime disease causing severe stomach cramps and disability; (d) a term used for "living off the land," as well as plundering committed by soldiers.

Go here for the answers.