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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

If at all there was/were any

Example: He was still waiting for X, if at all there was any.

Or must it be 'if at all there were any'? Must it be was or were in such sentences? I mean sentences where you say: the man was waiting for the bus to show up, assuming (or if at all) there was/were any at the time.

So I am wondering whether we use was or were in such sentences? Is it subjunctive or indicative?
  

Top answer

Use 'was' for singulars and uncountables; use 'were' for plurals, just as always: He was still waiting for some coffee, if there was any at all. He was still waiting for some donuts, if there were any at all. It is just a conditional clause, not subjunctive.

— Mister Micawber

  • Use 'was' for singulars and uncountables; use 'were' for plurals, just as always: He was still waiting for some coffee, if there was any at all.
  • He was still waiting for some donuts, if there were any at all.
  • It is just a conditional clause, not subjunctive.
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3 Answers
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Use 'was' for singulars and uncountables; use 'were' for plurals, just as always:

He was still waiting for some coffee, if there was any at all.
He was still waiting for some donuts, if there were any at all.

It is just a conditional clause, not subjunctive.
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Thanks. Can you tell me how to distinguish between conditional and subjunctive? They both sound similar.
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Subjunctive mood is a verb form that appears in some conditional sentences and elsewhere in isolated uses:

If I were King (but I am not, in fact), I would rule wisely and well.
*** bless America!

There are more complete references on line, as [url=http://grammar.ccc.commne
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