How does the subjunctive and conditional moods work ...

[DieuEtMonDroit]

How does the subjunctive and conditional moods work in the english language?

The only thing I can actually think of is were.
E.g.

If I were richer I would buy a new car.

If he were smarter he could get into college.

 

[Boston Dude]

Well, if I were an expert, I would say that you are correct. A lot of people use the word was. If I was with you, I would have hit you. Well, in this case it is not correct. If I were with you, I would have hit you.

 

[Thomas Tompion]

Other people and I have been saying on this forum for quite a while that the subjunctive should be limited to counterfactual or impossible conditions:

If I were an expert - means either I'm not or couldn't be an expert.
If he were smarter - means either he isn't or couldn't be smarter.

If I was to come to see you suggests I'm more likely to come to see you than if I were to come to see you.

That accords with my experience of the usage of the subjunctive in if-clauses. It may even be right.

 

[se16teddy]

This is a huge question, Dieu. These sites give an introduction.
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/grammar/archive/subjunctives.html
http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/grammar/archive/would01.html

 

[nzfauna]

This is a useful link regarding the subjunctive in the English language.

http://www.wordpower.ws/grammar/gramch09.html