Identify the sentence that correctly employs the past subjunctive with 'wish'.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. The expedition leader wished that the mountain pass were clearer.
- Step 1: Counterfactual wishes about present or ongoing conditions take the subjunctive 'were' regardless of subject number. Step 2. 'Wished that the mountain pass were clearer' follows formal subjunctive usage. Answer: The expedition leader wished that the mountain pass were clearer. Why not the others: 'Was' is informal indicative; 'is' and 'will be' fail to reflect counterfactual past framing.
Practise more Grammar, Clause Structures and Sentence Mechanics.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Nationella prov (Sweden) mock tests.
More Grammar, Clause Structures and Sentence Mechanics questions
- Identify the sentence that observes correct subject-verb agreement.
- Select the sentence with correct pronoun case.
- Choose the option that maintains parallel grammatical structure.
- Select the sentence that uses the subjunctive mood correctly.
- Choose the sentence that corrects the dangling modifier in: 'Walking through the botanical gardens, the colorful orchids delighted the touri…
- Select the sentence that uses the past perfect tense appropriately.