Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable form of the given verb.
My mother would know what to do, only if she ________ (be) here with us now$!$

• A. Were
• B. None of these
• C. Was been
• D. Has been

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The word, 'if' in the given sentence suggests that it is conditional. The sentence communicates that though the speaker's mother is not there with him just then, he is expressing a wishful condition about an unreal situation.

The subjunctive mood is a way of talking about unreal or conditional situations. It is also used to describe desires, wishes, needs, or intentions. To indicate the subjunctive mood, the verb, 'were' is used instead of 'was', along with singular as well as plural nouns. Hence, the appropriate verb is 'were', as given in option B.

The use of the phrase, 'was been' and 'were been' is grammatically incorrect as the word, 'been' is used along with the auxiliaries, 'have', 'has' and 'had'. It is never used with 'was' and 'were'. Hence options A and C are incorrect.

Option D is incorrect as option B is correct.