Was or were?

When you are deciding whether to use the verbs was or were, you are in a subjunctive mood. Here's how to decide which is correct: 

• Use was for situations that are certain. This sentence suggests that the college has an attendance policy and in all likelihood could enforce it.

If Buffalo State was to enforce its attendance policy, more students would be in class on a daily basis.

• Use were for wishful situations or those that are contrary to fact. In this example, I am clearly not you, so this sentence uses something that is contrary to fact to get the point across.

If I were you, I would attend every class.