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Anonymous Posted 9 years ago
Grammar
Do I use 'were' or 'was' in this case?
Which sentence is correct and why? "My brother would not be happy with me if he knew he were on the website" "My brother would not be happy with me if he knew he was on the website."
Top answer
anonymous if he knew he was You need this one. Only the highest level clause after 'if' needs the subjunctive (which is usually identical with the past tense). anonymous My brother would not be happy with me if he knew he was on the website.
- anonymous if he knew he was You need this one.
- Only the highest level clause after 'if' needs the subjunctive (which is usually identical with the past tense).
- anonymous My brother would not be happy with me if he knew he was on the website.
- Good, but compare: My brother would not be happy with me if he were to find out (that) he was on the website.
- CJ
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1 Answers
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anonymousif he knew he was
You need this one.
Only the highest level clause after 'if' needs the subjunctive (which is usually identical with the past tense).
anonymousMy brother would not be happy with me if he knew he was on the website.
Good, but compare:
My brother would not be happy with me if
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