Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomisimo
First of all, 95% of all English speakers do not know what the word "subjunctive" means. But that doesn't mean they don't use the subjunctive. Linguistially, the subjunctive is disappearing from the language. It is definitely used in set phrases and quotes:
"If I were a butterfly" - were is subjunctive
"If I were you"
Older generations will tend to use "were" more then younger generations, who replace it with "was".
If I were happy, I wouldn't leave you.
If I was happy, I wouldn't leave you.
It really doesn't have much to do with education-- younger speakers will choose the second option, while older speakers are more likely to use the first.
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Another rare example of subjunctive in English found in a fairy tale:
"Be he alive or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread!"