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- If I were is used when the subject of the sentence is referring to a hypothetical or imaginary situation. ○ If I were good at math and science, I would’ve become a doctor. If I was is used to refer to a situation that actually happened in the past. ○ If I was late to school when I was younger, I’d get detention.
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What is the difference between If I was and if I was?
What is the difference between was and were?
What is the correct sentence if I was vs if you were?
What does if I were mean in a sentence?
How do you use were in a sentence?
When do you use the phrase If I were?
Mar 28, 2022 · “If I was” and “If I were” are often used interchangeably even by native English speakers, but which one is correct? The short answer: they’re both right AND wrong. It depends...
- Isabel Roy
Oct 3, 2022 · The correct choice between was and were in an if clause depends on whether you’re using an unreal conditional sentence, also known as a hypothetical sentence. But how do you know if you’re dealing with an unreal conditional sentence?
If I were Used in a subjunctive mood, ‘if I were’ indicates an unreal situation. Something that can never happen. You are imagining a situation, that isn’t true yet or cannot be true. If I were Bill Gates, I would be the richest person in the world. If I were wrong, I would correct my mistakes.
May 8, 2023 · Chances are, you’re familiar with one difference between was and were: the fact that was is the first- and third-person singular past tense form of the verb to be, while were is the second-person singular past and the plural past form of to be.
- Forms of Was and Were
- If I Was vs. If I Were
- Subjunctive Mood
- When to Use Were
- Tricks to Remember
- When to Use Was
- Summary
As I said above, was and wereare in the past tense, but they are used differently. Was is used in the first person singular (I) and the third person singular(he, she, it). Were is used in the second person singular and plural (you, your, yours) and first and third person plural(we, they). The forms that was and were will take in your sentence are s...
While some people get mixed up on what we’ve covered above, most of the confusion with these two words centers on the use of the subjunctive mood and specifically the two phrases if I was vs. if I were. For example, which of the following two choices is correct? 1. If I was a better cook, I could entertain more. -or- 1. If I were a better cook, I c...
The subjunctive mood is a verb form that is used for unreal or hypothetical statements. It is made up of the phrases I were, he were, she were, it were, etc. You often use this form when you are being wishful. For example, 1. I wish I weren’t so shy. 2. I wish it were warmer outside. 3. If I were taller, I could dunk a basketball. 4. If John were a...
Another good example of the subjunctive mood can be found in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. In the song, “If I were a rich man,” the character Tevye sings about how different his life would be and all the things he would do if he were rich. If I were a rich man, I’d build a big tall house… If I were a rich man, I’d have the time that I lack. If I...
Two good clues for the subjunctive mood are the words if and wish. If you see either of these words, there is a good chance you will need to use the subjunctive.
Since were is used for statements that do not describe reality, was is just the opposite. Was is used for statements of fact. For example, 1. Last night, I was watching TV until midnight. 2. When I was younger, I wanted to be a singer. 3. Your brother was my college roommate.
These words are used differently in sentences, so it’s important to know when to use were vs. was. Was is used in the first and third person singular past. It is used for statements of fact. Were is used in the second person singular and plural and first and third person plural. It is used in the subjunctive mood to indicate unreal or hypothetical ...
“If I Was” or “If I Were”—There’s a Difference! When you’re trying to remember which phrase to use, just ask yourself this: is what you’re referring to imaginary, or did it really happen? If it’s an imaginary situation, use if I were. If it really happened, use if I was.
May 31, 2022 · If I were is appropriate in the subjunctive mood, while if I was is only acceptable in conditional past-tense sentences. Let's look further into how to use the conditional if I were vs. if I was correctly in a sentence.
