You might try the listserve archives - just go the the ATEG website. 

Geoff Layton
 Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2011 22:32:48 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Subjunctive -- calling Dick Veit
To: [log in to unmask]

I'm sorry, Michael,  but I don't have a copy of that message. And perhaps it was someone else who wrote the message Edith recalls.

I agree with Martha and Edith that "was" in those situations is becoming accepted, but it doesn't reflect my usage (and probably not theirs). I agree with your fellow Kenyon alum (it wasn't my daughter, Kenyon class of '00) that it should have been "if Kenyon weren't special to you," but I don't agree that the subjunctive should always be used following "if."



Subjunctive mood is generally used for counter-factuals. Declarative mood is used for factual events or events of unknown factuality, including those that follow "if." So I'd write:
He would be acting differently if he were sober. 

He can't remember if he was at the party. 
Dick




On Thu, Oct 27, 2011 at 4:48 PM, Michael Kischner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


I want to write a gentle respond to someone who wrote to my college alumni magazine in great dismay over this sentence in its last issue:  "You wouldn't be reading this magazine if Kenyon wasn't special to you."  She asserts, "The word 'if' always takes the subjunctive.. . . I would expect no less than proper grammar in our alumni magazine!"




Does somebody have a good feel for where things stand on this now?  In the latest edition of Martha Kolln's book that I have (7th; 2006), Martha says that "was" is "fairly common" in certain "If" sentences --"If Joe was here, he'd agree with me" -- but that, in writing,"the subjunctive were is the standard form."  Edith Wollin says pretty much the same thing in the latest edition of the textbook she and I co-authored.  I'd like to know how others are seeing it.  




Edith tells me that Dick Veit sent a very interesting message to this list about the subjunctive.  I missed it.  Dick, if you see this and can find your email, would you mind re-sending?

 Thanks!



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