Final answer:
The sentence should use 'were' because it describes a hypothetical situation, which requires the subjunctive mood, making the correct sentence 'He ran as if he were being chased by a ghost.'
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the sentence 'He ran as if he was/were being chased by a ghost.' we must decide whether to use 'was' or 'were' in the context of the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used for conditions that are not true or for wishes and hypothetical situations. Since the sentence describes a hypothetical situation, the correct form of the verb to be is 'were', even though it's singular. Thus, the sentence should read 'He ran as if he were being chased by a ghost.'
Literal and figurative language captures the essence of running for one's life. In the examples provided, characters experience fear, urgency, and the fight for survival—all common threads that effectively portray life-and-death scenarios. Whether the pursued character believes they can outrun the danger or confronts the reality of their potential demise, these themes resonate with the intensity of the human spirit when faced with extreme circumstances.