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I had exam and they asked: I would go to the library every day, if I ____ you.

Options:

  • were
  • was

I came to know upon reading that question was in subjunctive mood. So, my question is

what is the difference between subjunctive mood and conditional statement?

Kris
  • 37,386
  • possible duplicate – Ubi.B Jul 31 '18 at 09:00
  • A conditional statement has two parts, a condition and a result (protasis/apodosis). The subjunctive mood can be used in a variety of situations for a variety of purposes. A statement with the subjunctive mood can be a conditional, or not. A conditional statement can use the subjunctive mood, or not. These are two orthogonal things. – RegDwigнt Jul 31 '18 at 09:04
  • "If you answer my question, I will be happy" is an example of a conditional with no subjunctive. "I demand that my question be answered" is an example of subjunctive with no conditional. – RegDwigнt Jul 31 '18 at 09:07
  • The up votes makes me suspect there are others who might appreciate an answer to the question :D – Kris Jul 31 '18 at 10:52
  • Caroline, why would you want to compare the two? What do you think "subjunctive mood" may have to do with "conditional statement"? Can you expand your question? – Kris Jul 31 '18 at 10:54
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    See also: [ell.se] Good Luck. – Kris Jul 31 '18 at 10:54
  • @RegDwigнt "... if clauses in (counterfactual) sentences are conventionally always in the past subjunctive in English. " See Looper's comment above for link. – Kris Jul 31 '18 at 10:58
  • @Kris not sure why you felt the urge to tell me that, or how it relates to anything that I said, or to the question at hand for that matter. Same for your bit about votes. Complete non sequitur. Ease up on the coffee, mate. – RegDwigнt Jul 31 '18 at 11:16

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