IfonlyIweresmart,Iwouldhaveacedthattest,Butalas,thesubjunctivemoodisarequest.Thepastsubjunctiveisusedforunrealeventsinthepast,IfIhadknowntheanswer,Iwouldhavebeenfirst,notlast.Inthepresentunreal,"were"
If only I were smart, I would have aced that test,
But alas, the subjunctive mood is a request.
The past subjunctive is used for unreal events in the past,
If I had known the answer, I would have been first, not last.
In the present unreal, "were" is the key,
If I were a bird, I would fly high and free.
With wishes and regrets, the past unreal we find,
I wish I were taller, said the boy in his mind.
In hypothetical situations, "would" takes the stage,
If it rained tomorrow, we would stay inside and engage.
In commands, suggestions, and demands we see,
He insists that she be on time for the party.
In summary, the subjunctive mood is used to express,
Unreal events, wishes, and requests, no less.
So remember the rules and use them with flair,
And your English skills will surely be beyond compare.