[etni] Re: ...If I were If I was....
- From: Doron Narkiss <doron.narkiss@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: tessiesabbag@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 21:13:17 +0200
According to Fowler's "Modern English Usage", s.v. "subjunctives", this
particular form is one way of "expressing a hypothesis that is not a fact",
and one of "the few truly living uses" of the subjunctive in English. Thus
both "if I were" and "if I was" are correct. The proper use of the
subjunctive, says Webster's Unabridged, is the sign of the educated speaker;
Fowler says that it may be seen as pretentious - take your pick.
Doron
-----------------------------------------------
** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org
or - http://www.etni.org.il **
** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx **
** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **
-----------------------------------------------
Other related posts: