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Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar

If I am

I saw this on TV:

1. If I am your uncle, I got to finish what I started.

2. If I was your uncle, I would finish what I started. (The TV show shows that he wants to finish what he started, so #1 is the right one to use right? Is this an exception?)

Thanks.
  

Top answer

You don't indicate which sentence he actually uttered, but in any case we need more context, Jack. Who knows what he's talking about?! Maybe he just discovered he's the other person's uncle.

— Mister Micawber

  • You don't indicate which sentence he actually uttered, but in any case we need more context, Jack.
  • Who knows what he's talking about?!
  • Maybe he just discovered he's the other person's uncle.
  • Also, he sounds excited-- in which condition folks are liable to say anything.
  • Or his character may belong to a dialect minority.
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3 Answers
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You don't indicate which sentence he actually uttered, but in any case we need more context, Jack. Who knows what he's talking about?! Maybe he just discovered he's the other person's uncle. Also, he sounds excited-- in which condition folks are liable to say anything. Or his character may belong to a dialect minority.

Bottom line: don't be too analytical of TV English.
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Jack112I saw this on TV:

1. If I am your uncle, I got to finish what I started.

2. If I was your uncle, I would finish what I started. (The TV show shows that he wants to finish what he started, so #1 is the right one to use right? Is this an exception?)

Thanks.

Dear Jack112,

You have said that he wa
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1. If I am your uncle, I got to finish what I started.

2. If I were/was your uncle, I would finish what I started.

#1 implies 'I am your uncle. Therefore I must finish what I started.'

#2 implies 'Suppose I were your uncle. I would then have to finish what I started.'

MrP
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