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Hans51 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

If I were you, I would hire him. = As I am not you, I will not hire him. (?)

1) If he were honest, I would hire him.
= As he is not honest, I will not hire him.

2) If I were you, I would hire him.
= As I am not you, I will not hire him. (?)

3) If I were you, I wouldn't say that.
= As I am not you, I will say that. (?)

I have learned that if clauses can be rewritten to as clauses like in the #1 and the the #2 and #3 are naturally interpreted?

I think that we can not apply the same rule in the #1 to the #2 and #3. What do you native English speakers think?

Thank you so much as always in advance.
  

Top answer

In #1, the meaning in the two sentences is the same. This is not the case in #2 and #3. The as in #1 = because .

— Philip

  • In #1, the meaning in the two sentences is the same.
  • This is not the case in #2 and #3.
  • The as in #1 = because .
  • I'm not sure how to help you clear up the confusion.
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3 Answers
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In #1, the meaning in the two sentences is the same. This is not the case in #2 and #3. The as in #1 = because.
I'm not sure how to help you clear up the confusion.
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Thank you and you already did! So If I were a bird, I could fly to you means As I am not a bird, I can't fly to you but If I were you, I would hire him does not mean As I am not you, I will not hire him, right?
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One problem with this sort of analysis is the use of the word 'means' or the symbols ? and =. "If I were you" does not 'mean/equal' (or 'not-mean/not-equal') anything else.

All we know for certain if a speaker utters these words that is that the speaker is not 'you'. The speaker me
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