The neuter verb to _be_, and all passive verbs, have two forms in the
imperfect tense of this mood, as well as in the present; therefore, the
following rule may serve to direct you in the proper use of each form.
When the sentence implies doubt, supposition, &c. and the neuter verb
_be_, or the passive verb, is used with a reference to present or future
time, and is either followed or preceded by another verb in the
imperfect of the potential mood, the _conjunctive_ form of the imperfect
tense must be employed; as, "_If_ he _were_ here, we _should_ rejoice
together;" "She _might_ go, _were_ she so disposed." But when there is
no reference to present or future time, and the verb is neither followed
nor preceded by another in the potential imperfect, the _indicative_
form of the imperfect tense must be used; as, "_If_ he _was_ ill, he did
not make it known;" "_Whether_ he _was_ absent or present, is a matter
of no consequence." The general rule for using the conjunctive form of
the verb, is presented on page 145. See, also, page 135.
The perfect, pluperfect, and first future tenses of the subjunctive
mood, are conjugated in a manner similar to the correspondent tenses of
the indicative.
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