Choose the sentence containing correct use of the subjunctive following 'as if' to express counter-to-fact condition:

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. He spoke about the archaeological discovery as if he were the chief excavator himself.

  1. Step 1: Analyze mood: The clause describes a counter-to-fact hypothetical condition (he was not the chief excavator).
  2. Step 2: Recall formal subjunctive rule: Unreal hypothetical comparisons introduced by 'as if' or 'as though' require the past subjunctive 'were' for all persons, including singular pronouns.
  3. Step 3: Select 'as if he were the chief excavator himself'.
Answer
He spoke about the archaeological discovery as if he were the chief excavator himself.
Why not the others: 'was' is informal indicative; 'is' treats the hypothetical fiction as active truth; 'has been' uses present perfect.

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