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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

If it WERE/WAS mine...

I'm confused on the use of was and were when coupled with the pronoun "it". When "it" is used to replace a singular noun, then shouldn't one use "was" to go with it? Yet grammar check in Microsoft Word says "were" is accepible. Here is the context:

The trophy was in his closet. If it were/was mine, I'd have it on the mantle.
  

Top answer

In all indicative mood sentences, it is a singular pronoun taking the singular verb. The example that you have exhumed, however, is a use of the subjunctive were used in conditional sentences stating a present condition contrary to fact (the trophy is not in fact the speaker's). Were appears with all subjects in this type of sentence: If it were raining now, I would be very wet.

— Mister Micawber

  • In all indicative mood sentences, it is a singular pronoun taking the singular verb.
  • The example that you have exhumed, however, is a use of the subjunctive were used in conditional sentences stating a present condition contrary to fact (the trophy is not in fact the speaker's).
  • Were appears with all subjects in this type of sentence: If it were raining now, I would be very wet.
  • If I were king, I would rid the nation of its woes.
  • If she were cuter, I would ask her for a date.
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4 Answers
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In all indicative mood sentences, it is a singular pronoun taking the singular verb. The example that you have exhumed, however, is a use of the subjunctive were used in conditional sentences stating a present condition contrary to fact (the trophy is not in fact the speaker's). Were appears with all subjects in this type of sentence:

If it were raining n
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Mister MicawberThis use of the subjunctive is quite formal these days, and you will often see was in the place of were with1st and 3rd person singular subjects.

A good argument for the establishment of SPUSMA (Society for the Preservation of the Use of the Subjunctive Mood in America).
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Mister MicawberIn all indicative mood sentences, it is a singular pronoun taking the singular verb. The example that you have exhumed, however, is a use of the subjunctive were used in conditional sentences stating a present condition contrary to fact (the trophy is not in fact the speaker's). Were appears with all subjects in this type of se
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That's why most English kids FAIL in English exam.

He, She, It use Was

I, We, They, You use Were.


Thanks

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