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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
conditional: no difference?
Hi,
Would you buy the argument that the word 'were' makes no difference in meaning if it is replaced with 'was'?
If I were (was) a millionnaire, I would buy a house.
Would you buy the argument that the word 'were' makes no difference in meaning if it is replaced with 'was'?
If I were (was) a millionnaire, I would buy a house.
Top answer
Hi, Would you buy the argument that the use of the subjunctive shows the speaker has had a reasonably high level of education, chooses his words carefully, and has some awareness of the subtleties of the English language? Best wishes, Clive
- Hi, Would you buy the argument that the use of the subjunctive shows the speaker has had a reasonably high level of education, chooses his words carefully, and has some awareness of the subtleties of the English language?
- Best wishes, Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Would you buy the argument that the use of the subjunctive shows the speaker has had a reasonably high level of education, chooses his words carefully, and has some awareness of the subtleties of the English language?
Best wishes, Clive
Would you buy the argument that the use of the subjunctive shows the speaker has had a reasonably high level of education, chooses his words carefully, and has some awareness of the subtleties of the English language?
Best wishes, Clive
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Hi, I think it would be reasonable to assume all that you said.
Would you say the meaning is the more or less the same but no. 2 is more formal but conveys the notion of being doubtful or hypothetical (and that is the about the all the difference between the two) and a person can choose to say no. 1 and 2 depending on how he/she is viewing the situation, eg, whether as doubtful or realis
Would you say the meaning is the more or less the same but no. 2 is more formal but conveys the notion of being doubtful or hypothetical (and that is the about the all the difference between the two) and a person can choose to say no. 1 and 2 depending on how he/she is viewing the situation, eg, whether as doubtful or realis
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was is a lower register substitute for were in these constructions. There is no distinction between hypothetical and doubtful and realistic that has any relevance to this structure. You are over-analyzing. You are seeing the possibility of differences where there are none.
If you want to present yourself as more conservative and educated:
If I were a millionnaire, I wou
If you want to present yourself as more conservative and educated:
If I were a millionnaire, I wou
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Hi,
Another way to look at 'I was . . . ' is to consider that it is Simple Past tense. If your listener is influenced by the grammar they are hearing from you, they will expect a past-related statement, eg
"If Tom was a millionaire . . . he certainly didn't tell me when I met him at the party last year".
The context, of course, usually makes th
Another way to look at 'I was . . . ' is to consider that it is Simple Past tense. If your listener is influenced by the grammar they are hearing from you, they will expect a past-related statement, eg
"If Tom was a millionaire . . . he certainly didn't tell me when I met him at the party last year".
The context, of course, usually makes th
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