Business English: A Practice Book by Rose Buhlig

4. I wish I had been careful! (I was not.)

Notice that the verb is in the past or in the past perfect tense. There are some careful writers who still use the present subjunctive to show a _possibility_; as, Lest he start too late, remind him again that he must meet the 4:15 train. In the following sentences, which form is better? May any of the sentences use either form?