0
Dusklight Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

I was vs. I were

I always thought 'I were' is correct, but sometimes 'I was' just sounds that little bit better. Which one is correct?
  

Top answer

I was is simple past. I were is the subjunctive. I was hungry, so I ate an apple.

— BarbaraPA

  • I was is simple past.
  • I were is the subjunctive.
  • I was hungry, so I ate an apple.
  • If I were hungry, I would eat something.
  • Perhaps you could write a few sentence using "I was" or "I were" to see how it goes.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

16 Answers
0
I was is simple past. I were is the subjunctive.

I was hungry, so I ate an apple.

If I were hungry, I would eat something.

Perhaps you could write a few sentence using "I was" or "I were" to see how it goes.
0
0
so whenever you have an 'if' infront, you say 'I were'? and 'I was' applies to all other situations?
0
0
'I were' is correct when used in second conditional. In other cases, use 'I was'.
0
0
what's second conditional?
0
0
Hi,
if you are taking some kind of test or writing something formal, then use "were" in "If I were a king, I would..." or "I wish I were a king..." etc. - You are often expected to follow the rules of prescriptive grammar.
Otherwise, you can use either "was" or "were". - If I was a king, I would... I wish I was a king...
Native speakers use either of them in everyday English.
0
0
Dusklightwhat's second conditional?
It's a structure used to talk about unreal situations or things that don't happen. Examples:
If I could swim I would go to a swimming pool everyday. (but I can't swim so I don't)
If I were a bird I could fly. (but I'm not a bird so I can't fly)
0
0
OlaTheNetsurfer'I were' is correct when used in second conditional. In other cases, use 'I was'.
It is correct also in other cases.
See, for instance, "I wish I were rich " (but I'm not: =>> counterfactual, subjunctive)
0
0
The "second conditional" can also relate to real situations, e.g. when offering advice, or considering a course of action:

1. If you took the first road on the left, you'd get there much more quickly.

2. If I were to spend two hours training every evening, I would soon be fit enough to run in the London Marathon.

MrP
0
0
are both sentences below acceptable?

1. I was the leader of the team.
2. I were the leader of the team.

or is it besides second conditional, the 'if' cases, I should always use 'I was' for past tense?

thanks everyone by the way. you've been a great help so far!
0
0
Yes, normal past tense is always 'I was'.

I were should be reserved for conditional situations - which isn't the case in this sentence.
0

Related Questions