If you are/were unwell
I have made up the similar sentences below.
(1) If you are unwell, it would be best for you to go home right now and get some rest.
(2) If you were unwell, it would be best for you to go home right now and get some rest.
A few of my non-native English speaking friends think (1) sounds better. However, most of my friends think (2) is correct because the independent clause is in the past tense.
I am not sure who is right. Please help me. Thank you very much.
Top answer
If you are unwell The speaker thinks that it is actually possible that you are unwell. If you were unwell This is hypothetical The speaker is just talking about an imaginary situation. That's why I'd say If I were President , I'm not and I never will be.
- If you are unwell The speaker thinks that it is actually possible that you are unwell.
- If you were unwell This is hypothetical The speaker is just talking about an imaginary situation.
- That's why I'd say If I were President , I'm not and I never will be.
- Clive
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If you are unwell The speaker thinks that it is actually possible that you are unwell.
If you were unwell This is hypothetical The speaker is just talking about an imaginary situation.
That's why I'd say If I were President, I'm not and I never will be.
Clive
0ansonguymost of my friends think (2) is correct because the independent clause is in the past tense.
The whole thing is in the present because of the word "now". The temporal aspect is not the problem. "Were" is in the subjunctive mood, which is dying (the subjunctive and indicative forms are identical here, inconveniently). Your problem is that the subjunc
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