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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Grammar

Which is correct, please:

"I wish I were rich."

"I wish I was rich."

Bonus question...what is the rule for this so I'll know in the future?

Thank you!
  

Top answer

Both are correct, though was is frowned upon by some as less elegant. The rule is to change 'was' to 'were' after the verb 'wish' and in if -clauses attached to a main clause with would . Mary wish es she was smarter becomes Mary wishes she were smarter .

— CalifJim

  • Both are correct, though was is frowned upon by some as less elegant.
  • The rule is to change 'was' to 'were' after the verb 'wish' and in if -clauses attached to a main clause with would .
  • Mary wish es she was smarter becomes Mary wishes she were smarter .
  • If he was president, he would put a stop to these practices becomes If he were president, he would put a stop to these practices .
  • CJ
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1 Answers
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Both are correct, though was is frowned upon by some as less elegant.

The rule is to change 'was' to 'were' after the verb 'wish' and in if-clauses attached to a main clause with would.

Mary wishes she was smarter becomes Mary wishes she were smarter.

If he was president, he would put a stop to these pract
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