The subjunctive allows us look into the future and to see multiple, highly nuanced possibilities with just a little sprinkling of could’s, would’s or might’s. Similarly, it allows us to look into the past, and to imagine what didn’t happen, but could have happened. The subjunctive is the most powerful mood. It’s like a time-space dream machine that can conjure alternate realities with just the idea of could have or should have. But within this idea of should have is a Pandora’s box of hope and regret.
Phuc Tran