If it wasn't for or if i weren´t

Question

Is the sentence "If it weren't for electricity, we would all be watching television by candlelight" correct?

PhilPRDj · Accepted Answer

I think it would be better to say "If it wasn't for..."

Cool Breeze · Answer

AnonymousIs the sentence "If it weren't for electricity, we would all be watching television by candlelight" correct?

It's fine. - CB

Anonymous · Answer

I HAVE CHECKED MY GRAMMAR BOOKS BEFORE POSTING

I agree with PhilPRDj. I, too, would use "wasn't."

If I understand my books correctly, here is the situation:

(a) Your sentence with "weren't" is certainly correct and

very elegant. I have no doubt that some writers (and even

speakers) would use it.

(b) I believe, however, that nowadays, most books advise us to

use the past subjunctive ("weren't") when we wish to refer to the

present or future. In your sentence, you are referring to something

(the invention of electricity) that happened a long time ago.

(c) I think (repeat: think) that we could use "weren't" like this:

If today weren't Sunday, I would go dancing. But since today

is Sunday, I must conduct myself in a more serious manner.

(This has been proofread several times.)

If it wasn't for or if i weren´t

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