SUBJUNCTIVES

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

SUBJUNCTIVES

I wish you ~are~ coming with me (nonstandard).
I wish you *were* coming with me (standard).
“I wish” is a subjunctive element.

If only it ~is~ that simple, I would have done it (nonstandard).
If only it *were* that simple, I would have done it (nonstandard).
“If only” is a subjunctive element.

I would rather she ~cooks~ the food (nonstandard).
I would rather she *cooked* the food (standard).
“Would rather” is a subjunctive element.
GAB