If I were ...

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Hi,I'm fine with these: If I were you ..., If I were my sister ..., If I were John ...But how about "he", "she", "they"? Would you recommend that I use the nominative case                         If I were [he | she | they ], I would ...or the accusative one?                        If I were [him | her | them ], I would ...I have obviously done some research, but couldn't come up with any definite answer: the accusative form seems to be used more, but some insist that the nominative one is preferable.Which would you use and why?Thank you!

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

If I were [he | she | they ], I would ...
or the accusative one?
If I were [him | her | them ], I would ...

I was taught that he | she | they should be used.

I believe nowadays, him | her | them are more commonly used.

Avangi · Answer

Hi Tanit, Huevos recently made an impassioned plea for the accusative on a thread, "Nominative and Objective Pronouns - - - - - - Confusing!" Did you miss it? - A.

Edit. Ah, I see you're referring only to the third person. Sorry. To my ear, there's no difference between first and third. I'm one of those relics who is still more comfortable using the nominative case in nominative situations.

Philip · Answer

AvangiEdit. Ah, I see you're referring only to the third person. Sorry. To my ear, there's no difference between first and third. I'm one of those relics who is still more comfortable using the nominative case in nominative situations.

Hey, Avangi. How about our forming an organization: NPFNS (nominative pronouns for nominative situations)? Not sure we'd find a lot of members, but if we charged less than $2 per year for membership, we might get a few takers from these forums.

Avangi · Answer

Count me in!  Should we take checks?

Philip · Answer

AvangiCount me in! Should we take checks?

Yes. they can be made out to me. I'll use them for a vacation.

CalifJim · Answer

TanitBut how about "he", "she", "they"? Would you recommend that I use the nominative case
If I were [he | she | they ], I would ...
or the accusative one?
If I were [him | her | them ], I would ...

See .
I recommend the accusatives.
CJ

Anonymous · Answer

<<<Count me in! Should we take checks?>>>

Leave the Czechs out of this!

Tanit · Answer

Thank you all.

Yoong LiatI was taught that he | she | they should be used.
I believe nowadays, him | her | them are more commonly used.

YL, I already knew this. That's why I wrote in my first post "the accusative form seems to be used more, but some insist that the nominative one is preferable.".

So, Philip and Avangi favour the nominative, and CJ the accusative. I see there's no agreement even here, which makes me feel better.

Whichever I choose, I'll find somebody who supports my usage.

PS CJ, I missed that post of yours! Thanks for the link.

Philip · Answer

Anonymous<<<Count me in! Should we take checks?>>>

Leave the Czechs out of this!

There's money involved, so we need the Czechs and Balances.
More importantly, I agree with a previous post that indicates we can (should?) have differences of opinions on various issues. Keeping track of who thinks what helps us to get to know each other better.

If I were ...

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