I talk 27-8 The present tense is used to express a scientific truth. Weren't, the subjunctive verb form, is correct. The subjunctive mood is required in if clauses expressing a condition contrary to fact. Had left is correct. The past perfect tense is required for an action already completed at some specific past time. The present tense is used to describe fictional events in a work of literature. The perfect form of an infinitive is required for an action occurring earlier than that of the verb in the sentence. The past perfect tense (had been) should be used to describe a past event that happened before another past event (refused). The present tense (recounts) should be used to describe fictional events in a work of literature.