In English, a clause expressing a wish or suggestion can be put in the subjunctive, or in the subjunctive mood, by using the base form of a verb or 'were'. Examples are 'She asked that they be removed' and 'I wish I were somewhere else'. These structures are formal.
[technical]
English Easy Learning GrammarThe subjunctiveThe subjunctive was formerly used in English for situations that were improbable orthat expressed a wish. It is only rarely used in modern British English. ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarDeclarative, interrogative, and imperative statementsEach sentence in English provides some type of information. For example, a sentencecan be a statement, a question, a request, a command, a denial or a ... Read more
subjunctive in British English
(səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv)
adjective
1. grammar
denoting a mood of verbs used when the content of the clause is being doubted, supposed, feared true, etc, rather than being asserted. The rules for its use and the range of meanings it may possess vary considerably from language to language. In the following sentence, were is in the subjunctive
I'd think very seriously about that if I were you
Compare indicative
noun
2. grammar
a.
the subjunctive mood
b.
a verb in this mood
Abbreviation: subj
Derived forms
subjunctively (subˈjunctively)
adverb
Word origin
C16: via Late Latin subjunctīvus, from Latin subjungere to subjoin
subjunctive in American English
(səbˈdʒʌŋktɪv)
adjective
1. Grammar
designating or of the mood of a verb that is used to express supposition, desire, hypothesis, possibility, etc., rather than to state an actual fact (Ex.: the mood of were in “if I were you”)
see also indicative, imperative
noun
2.
the subjunctive mood
3.
a verb in this mood
Word origin
LL subjunctivus < L subjunctus, pp. of subjungere, to subjoin