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Pructus Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
I wish I knew if he was
Hi, Forum Gurus and Members!
Below is from Gilmore Girls, 301. Someone is going out for the first date in her life.
The underlined "was". How about changing it into "were", which seems to be being so much recommended by grammarians. My non-native sense tells me that in this case, it should be "was".
What is native's sense of English here?
- Maybe I shouldn't go. I mean, what if I fall for him and he doesn't like me?
- Then you'll find someone else.
- But what if there is no one else?
- Then you'll buy some cats.
- I wish I knew if he was right for me, you know? (gg 301)
Below is from Gilmore Girls, 301. Someone is going out for the first date in her life.
The underlined "was". How about changing it into "were", which seems to be being so much recommended by grammarians. My non-native sense tells me that in this case, it should be "was".
What is native's sense of English here?
- Maybe I shouldn't go. I mean, what if I fall for him and he doesn't like me?
- Then you'll find someone else.
- But what if there is no one else?
- Then you'll buy some cats.
- I wish I knew if he was right for me, you know? (gg 301)
Top answer
" <-- Correct (informal) In informal conversations, you will hear the use of "was" more often. Both tenses are correct in different situations. I haven't watched Gilmore Girls, but characters in such TV shows tend to have informal conversations most of the time.
- " <-- Correct (informal) In informal conversations, you will hear the use of "was" more often.
- Both tenses are correct in different situations.
- I haven't watched Gilmore Girls, but characters in such TV shows tend to have informal conversations most of the time.
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4 Answers
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"I wish I knew if he were right for me, you know?" <-- Correct (formal)
"I wish I knew if he was right for me, you know?" <-- Correct (informal)
In informal conversations, you will hear the use of "was" more often. Both tenses are correct in different situations.
I haven't watched Gilmore Girls, but characters in such TV shows tend to have informal conversations most of
"I wish I knew if he was right for me, you know?" <-- Correct (informal)
In informal conversations, you will hear the use of "was" more often. Both tenses are correct in different situations.
I haven't watched Gilmore Girls, but characters in such TV shows tend to have informal conversations most of
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pructusHow about changing it into "were", which seems to be being so much recommended by grammarians. My non-native sense tells me that in this case, it should be "was".was is fine. Your non-native intuition is working pretty well I'd say.
"if he was right for me" is an indirect question, not part of a conditional construction. The wishing is
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Oh, CJ, I see, I see....
Reading your explanations, I feel, my vague intuition is being backed up and supplemented by some solid theory.
Thank you, CJ !!
Reading your explanations, I feel, my vague intuition is being backed up and supplemented by some solid theory.
Thank you, CJ !!
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