I wouldn't have any hesitation using the subjunctive in this sentence.

'It was as though he were real'

But using it in the negative and interrogative form seems to make it look odd.

'It wasn't as though he were real, was it?

Or have I just been thinking about it too long?

Any views?

Sandra

It's the same for negative, Deormais. (I know what you mean about looking at something too long!)

And if you put another 'was' you'd have 3 'was -es' which, IMHO, is one too many!

<Added>

Sorry, left the 's' out of Desormais.

Thank you Jem. And it looks better now I've come back to it after an hour or so away from it.

And it looks better now I've come back to it after an hour or so away from it.

Oh, I so know that feeling! And yes, I'd agree with Jem - and now you.

Thanks Emma. It had niggled me all morning.