[etni] ...If I were If I was....
- From: Tessie Sabbag <tessiesabbag@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 08:39:47 -0800 (PST)
My colleagues and I are trying to understand this one. Maybe somebody out
there knows. Please reply to:
tessiesabbag@xxxxxxxxx
(thanks)
>
>
>
>
>"I know it is correct to say "If I were you" rather than "if I was you". But
>it is ... larger...," "If Eisenhower was president..." So what are the rules
>for using "were" and "was" in this type of situation?"
>
>Can the hypothesized fact become true? If so, use "was." Otherwise, use
>"were." To parallel "was," you may need "had been" rather than "were," because
>"were," despite being the form of the passive indicative, is used for present
>circumstances.
>>Examples:
>- If I was late in arriving last night, I wam unaware of it, because I didn't
>know the deadline and I still don't. (It's possible I was late, so I use
>"was.")
>- If I had been late, I would have apologized, but I arrived on time. (I can't
>have been late, so I use "had been.")
>
>- If I were the sort of person who sometimes arrives late, I would apologize
>for doing so. (I am not that sort of person. In this case, I suppose you could
>argue that I'm lying, but my use of "were" is intended to convey that I am
>telling the truth.)
>>- If I were president-elect, I'd demand an immediate recount. (Of course, I'm
>>not president-elect.)
>- If I was asked to name my favorite movie, I'd respond "Casablanca."
>(Obviously it's possible that someone would ask what my favorite movie is.)
>>Things can get jumbled at the margin, and this use of "were" is less common
>>in the UK than i the US, but that's the general idea.
>
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