Question

Fill in the blank with the appropriate past subjunctive verb:

He wishes he ______ taller.

• A. were
• B. will be
• C. was
• D. wasn't

Answer 1

The correct option is A were

The past subjunctive is used to refer to unreal or improbable present or future situations.

Option A is correct since the sentence expresses an unreal, present situation (he is not tall). The past subjunctive form of "to be" is always "were", regardless of the Person. Thus, the correct sentence is: He wishes he were taller.

Options B, C and D are incorrect as the verbs "will be", "was" and "wasn't" are not past subjunctive verbs. They are indicative (verbs that state facts).