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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Is it wasn't or weren't?

If it weren't for the pain, I would be outside now.

Is it suppoed to be weren't or wasn't? Does were'nt suggest a possibility in the future?
  

Top answer

Hi Anon The traditionally correct form to use in your sentence is weren't . "If it weren't for the pain" refers to an unreal condition. It basically means "if I were not in pain (now)".

— Yankee

  • Hi Anon The traditionally correct form to use in your sentence is weren't .
  • "If it weren't for the pain" refers to an unreal condition.
  • It basically means "if I were not in pain (now)".
  • Nowadays, you will also hear lots of people use wasn't rather than weren't in that sort of conditional sentence.
  • To me, the use of wasn't rather than weren't in a conditional sentence simply sounds more informal.
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2 Answers
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Hi Anon

The traditionally correct form to use in your sentence is weren't. "If it weren't for the pain" refers to an unreal condition. It basically means "if I were not in pain (now)".

Nowadays, you will also hear lots of people use wasn't rather than weren't in that sort of conditional sentence. To me, the use of wasn't rather than weren't in
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YankeeHi Anon

The traditionally correct form to use in your sentence is weren't. "If it weren't for the pain" refers to an unreal condition. It basically means "if I were not in pain (now)".

Nowadays, you will also hear lots of people use wasn't rather than weren't in that sort of conditional sentence. To me, the use of wasn't
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