Which mood is used to express wishes or possibilities?

The subjunctive mood is employed in English to articulate wishes, desires, and hypothetical situations or possibilities that may not be reality. This mood is distinct in that it often conveys something that is contrary to fact or merely hoped for, rather than something that is actually happening or occurred. For instance, phrases like "I wish that he were here" or "If I were a bird" exemplify the use of the subjunctive to express desires or scenarios that are not real.

In contrast, the present mood typically describes current actions or factual statements, the indicative mood asserts statements that are accepted as true or real, and the imperative mood issues commands or requests. By understanding that the subjunctive mood is specifically designed for expressing those nuances of wishes and possibilities, one can see why it is the correct choice in this context.