Практическая грамматика

come to the phone. (Heym)
2. The Past Subjunctive. In the Past Subjunctive the verb to be has the form were for all the persons singular and plural, which in the singular differs from the corresponding form, of the Indicative Mood (the Past Indefinite).


Note. Occasionally the form was, which coincides with the form of the Indicative Mood, can be found in the singular. There is no difference in meaning, but were is more formal, particularly when we are making doubtful statements:
If I was/ were better qualified, I would apply for the job.
However, were is preferable in purely imaginary statements:
If I were the Queen, you would be the King.
The Past Subjunctive is widely used in Modern English and occurs not only in literature but also in colloquial language.
The term Past Subjunctive is merely traditional as in Modern English it does not necessarily express a past action. In adverbial clauses of condition it denotes an unreal condition referring to the present or future. In other types of subordinate clauses it denotes an action simultaneous with the action expressed in the principal clause; thus it may refer to the present and to the past.
§ 3. The analytical forms of the Subjunctive Mood consist of the mood auxiliaries should, would, may (might) and the infinitive of the notional verb.
Yates wished Bing would stop thanking him, but
Bing went on. (Heym)
Йейтсу хотелось, чтобы Бинг прекратил благодарить его, но тот все благодарил.
I avoided mentioning the subject lest he should be offended.
Я избегал упоминать эту тему, чтобы не обидеть его.
Mood auxiliaries have developed from modal verbs, which have lost their modality and serve to form the analytical Subjunctive. Still there are cases when mood auxiliaries retain a shade of modality, for instance, the verb might in adverbial clauses of purpose.
I arrived early so that I might not miss anything.
Я приехал рано, чтобы ничего не пропустить.
§ 4. In modern English the forms of the Past Indefinite and Past Perfect Indicative are used to express unreality.
The Past Indefinite is used to express an action contradicting reality with reference to the past or future. This use of the Past Indefinite is found in certain types of subordinate clauses.
If I knew it, I should/ would tell you about it.
I wish I knew it.
The Past Perfect represents actions contadicting reality in the past. It is used in the same types of clauses as the Past Indefinite when it expresses unreality.
If I had known it, I should/ would have told you about it.
I wish I had known it.

THE USE OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD