[etni] If I were/was a rich man......
- From: David Reid <reidnomad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 09:37:50 +0200
Concerning the issue of the subjunctive in current English, not only would I
agree with David Graniewitz that both forms are considered correct, with the
exception of certain set expressions such as "if I were you" (although "If I
was you" is making inroads even amongst the cultured -- despite Webster's
assertion to the contrary), but I would disagree with Betty Azar (as cited
by Tamar Nahari) that it is not acceptable in written speech. I believe that
a survey of literature written within the last few years would reveal that
the subjunctive in English is no longer considered de rigueur. (I am not
referring to literature in Linguistics, but in all fields, fiction and
non-fiction.)
David Reid
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