Exercise 123
Insert was or were in each of the following sentences, in each case giving a reason for your choice. Remember that the indicative was is used to denote a statement of fact in the past time, and the subjunctive were (singular and plural) is used to denote a possibility, something that is supposed to be true, or a statement entirely contrary to fact, as in a wish.
1. I wish I —— going with you.
2. As he —— not well, he could not go.
3. If he —— well, he could go.
4. If he —— attentive in class, he would not fail.
5. They treated me as if I —— one of the family.
6. When I —— in the South I visited New Orleans.
7. Suppose she —— your guest, how would you entertain her?
8. He would appear very tall —— it not for the breadth of his shoulders.